Ricky Martin Goes Mano A Mano With Hugo Chavez After Shakira Smackdown
By Fabian Cambero in Caracas
Friday, 15 February 2008
Independent:
More than 100 celebrities, including the footballer David Beckham and the singer Shakira, have backed a Spanish pop star in a dispute with Venezuela after a concert was cancelled following his criticism of the President Hugo Chavez.
The Latin Grammy music awards organisation also supported Alejandro Sanz, saying that the cancellation of the concert, due to be staged yesterday, smacked of censorship.
The actress and singer Jennifer Lopez, the singer Ricky Martin and the Hollywood star Penelope Cruz have also joined the protest.
“Because we believe in a Latin America where we should be free to express our opinions… we hope in our hearts that this problem is resolved,” said a letter released by Mr Sanz’s publicity office.
In 2004, Mr Sanz accused Mr Chavez of trying to stymie a nationwide campaign for a recall referendum against the president. Millions of Venezuelans signed a petition that year seeking such a vote, but Mr Chavez eventually won the referendum easily.
Last year, government officials banned a Sanz concert after saying the venue, a state-run stadium in Caracas, was an inappropriate place to host a Chavez critic. The concert plan was resurrected, only to be cancelled again this month by its promoters, who gave no reason for the decision.
Mr Chavez and his aides routinely brand local detractors as traitors and foreign critics as part of a US plot to destabilise his self-styled socialist revolution. He closed a critical TV station last year. But other channels vehemently oppose him and many Venezuelan newspapers are openly critical of his government.
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Well, all I have to say in response to these entertainers voicing their disapproval is,
“Please check your closets for any Che T-shirts, and the like, and please burn the damn thing … Or else, STFU. You can’t have it BOTH ways …”
Well, in Ricky Martin’s case, I guess he does …
February 15th, 2008 at 7:19 amDon’t care…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
February 15th, 2008 at 7:55 amStarve his people to death and not a peep out of ‘em, but if he cancels a concert they’re all up in arms?… Too little too late Biotches!
February 16th, 2008 at 7:51 am