So much for free speech....

[Woodmonkey]

Don't say anything critical of Hugo Chavez or you'll be banned from using any state-run facilities. In a country like that, would a private facility dare to have him either? Come on Hollywood, defend your hero's censorship of an artist now.

Concert ban for 'Chavez critic'


A popular Spanish singer has been banned from performing in a Caracas stadium over remarks he made about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

A government minister accused Alejandro Sanz of criticising Mr Chavez three years ago while touring Venezuela.

The musician has been banned from staging a concert at a state-run stadium but the government says he can perform at any privately owned venue.

Some 15,000 fans hoped to see Sanz at the gig in the capital on 1 November.

Expulsion

The pop singer may have sold 21 million albums and won more than a dozen Latin Grammys, but the Venezuelan higher education minister, Luis Acuna, is not among his admirers.

He accused the musician of railing against Mr Chavez and his Bolivarian revolution.

Mr Acuna asked how the Venezuelan people would respond to such an artist using the state-controlled stadium.

The comments which sparked the controversy were made by the singer during his last tour of Venezuela in 2004, when he said he did not like Mr Chavez.

He also said that he did not like a number of other presidents elsewhere.

And he made reference to a controversial recall referendum against Mr Chavez which was brought by the opposition to try to remove him from power.

So far, Sanz has made no comment on the government's decision.

It comes a few months after Mr Chavez warned foreigners they faced expulsion if they came to Venezuela to criticise him or his political agenda.

The Source

[sabadgeman]

Does anyone really believe that Castro's prodigy will use different methods than the old block?

[Scrappy]

Don't go into a Citgo if you love your country.

[Snowden]

Has free speech ever been 'endorsed' in Venezuela?

[sabadgeman]

Yes pre Chavez