Corruption

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Neocolonialism 

Though corruption is discussed in the exoticism section, it is important to note its influence in neocolonialism as well. During the elections and referendums, the U.S. media often attempted to compare the election standards in Venezuela to those in the United States to poke holes in Venezuela’s seemingly less secure system. Moreover, by giving a platform to his losing opponent’s calls for recounts, they delegitimize Chavez’s victories and continue to portray him, if not a corrupt leader, then as a less deserving victor. Therefore, there is a hope that Chavez follows the election protocols of the United States, which leads to democracy promotion (even though all of Chavez’s victories occurred through democratic pathways). As seen in Said’s theory, by showcasing Venezuela as corrupt, its agency is diminished, and the U.S. media can discredit Chavez based on insincerity and falsehoods. Therefore, once Chavez has lost his credibility, the U.S. media can advocate for “bettering” Venezuela through democracy promotion, election monitoring, Bush meeting with members of the Organization of American States, and others.

Exoticism 

Corruption is also discussed as if it is frequent in Latin American countries, especially in Chavez’s Venezuela (as proven by the continuous referral to Chavez’s 1992 failed undemocratic military coup, even after his death in 2013). The harkening on the coup sets a precedence that Chavez works against the ideals of American democracy, and therefore, corruption is not an unreasonable avenue for him to pursue. However, conveniently unmentioned is that Chavez went through directly democratic channels from his constitutional referendum to his elections. This action is highlighted whenever Chavez takes action against his media critics, pushed for a referendum, or ran for reelection. Both the corruption and violence are seen as ever-present in Latin American society, harkening back to Said’s analysis that the West sees the Orient as deserving of colonization due to their inability to progress. The assumption that democracy is something Venezuelans must fight for is an exoticizing one since it shows darker bodies as unable to innately have the same morals and goals as the white hegemonic structures of the United States.