Chavez Calls Bush 'The Devil'

In U.N. Speech Accusing U.S. Of Pillaging The World

(CBS/AP)  Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez took his verbal battle with the United States to the floor of the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, calling U.S. President George W. Bush "the devil" and denouncing what he said was U.S. imperialism.

The impassioned speech by Chavez, a leftist and one of Mr. Bush's staunchest critics, came a day after the U.S. president and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sparred over Tehran's disputed nuclear program but managed to avoid a personal encounter.

"The devil came here yesterday," Chavez said, referring to Mr. Bush's address on Tuesday and making the sign of the cross. "He came here talking as if he were the owner of the world."

The leftist leader, who has joined Iran and Cuba in opposing U.S. influence, accused Washington of "domination, exploitation and pillage of peoples of the world."

"We appeal to the people of the United States and the world to halt this threat, which is like a sword hanging over our head," he said.

Wednesday marked the first time a U.S. President has ever been attacked on the floor of the United Nations. Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev threatened the West in 1960, but he didn't personally attack President Eisenhower, reports CBS News national correspondent Byron Pitts.

"Venezuela's Hugo Chavez is rapidly becoming the new Fidel Castro, but with petro-dollars, at the U.N.," said CBS News Foreign Affairs Analyst Pamela Falk, "and as a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council in October, his anti-Bush comments are making him increasingly popular with member states in his campaign for that position."

Chavez's diatribe reflected the difficulty Mr. Bush faces in his key mission at the U.N. — convincing a largely skeptical world audience that his administration's fight against terrorism was not one targeting Muslims.

The main U.S. seat in the assembly hall was empty as Chavez spoke. But there was a "junior note taker" there, as is customary "when governments like that speak," the U.S. ambassador to the U.N said.

[mh4cbs1]

Thank you Chavez for having the courage to speak the truth!
Bush LIED us into a needless War of agression -- and in doing so he has killed tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi civillians, and has killed more Americans than Osama on 9-11. This is not the Devil? Wake up sheeple. Bush wants you to live in FEAR, he wants you to HATE the "enemy", he LIES you into compliance, then embarks on his endless WAR. This FEAR, HATE, LIES, WAR is his plan to extend his power and secure profit for the super wealthy that he represents. He could care less about you, the troops, and any other pawns in his game.
Chavez was right in standing up to our Devil of a president. If you love America you should want to Impeach and Jail Bush and Cheney.

[sylmar777lxm]

Gee, Hugo Chavez called Bush the Devil and most of the countries of the world agreed. Let's see, the 8th Amendment to the Constitution says that the American Government will never torture anyone, period. And Bush wipes his behind on the Constitution and tortures people, some of them to death. Anyone who approves of torture is listening to the Devil. All you Republicans go on and on about how Holy you are. Well, to quote you religious phonies, "What Would Jesus Do?" According to you sickos, Jesus would torture people. Bush is demonic, and anyone not listening to the manure from Fox News or AM Radio realizes it. Hugo is 100% right. Bush is the Devil. We didn't need torture to win World War Two. Except then, we had a great man, a Democrat for President. All Bush cares about is making his oil buddy friends rich. That's why Brazil is 100% oil independent and our stupid country won't even make car manufacturers increase their fuel mileage. When our country is totally destroyed, then all the idiots who voted for Bush will finally realize their stupidity. The rest of world already knows what a total loser Bush is.

[alarico2001]

I don't want to abuse the system here, but I feel I must respond to this: "Chavez is more about freedom than the United States Government and thats why the US is afraid of him." My goodness! Obviously you don't live here!!! Chavez's only real ally is Fidel Castro, whom he praises. Castro has been in power for 47 years, with firing squads included! You know nothing about human rights abuses here against the Venezuelan opposition, including myself, and now Chavez says that he might rule us until he dies! Very democratic! Just like the leaders of Belarus, Iran, Syria, and North Korea (his other pals)!

[alarico2001]

By the way, as a Venezuelan, I want to apologize to the American people and the world for what our president said. Such disgraceful behavior. Millions of us Venezuelans feel deeply ashamed by Chavez. But sadly, Chavez has brainwashed the ignorant masses who are so easy to manipulate. Half of the population actually thinks that Chavez was great at the UN. Very depressing. Anyway, this man also thought that Clinton was going to invade us in Dec. 1999 during the Vargas disaster, so it's not Bush that he's against; he can't stand America. Period.

[alarico2001]

Hugo Chavez is free? Then why doesn't he shut down the American embassy here in Venezuela? Or at least he should kick out the American ambassador whom he's criticized time after time; after all, the Mexican and Peruvian ambassadors are gone. Pure hypocrisy! Chavez claims to be brave giving anti-American speeches but he knows that all his populist programs are funded by the US through oil exportations. If the US stopped buying our oil, this country would become another Somalia.

[eirann77]

GET INFORMED..There are more things You should know..
http://alternativenewspoints.blogspot.com/
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/22/nyregion/22chomsky.html?_r=2&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

[thgdriver]

Wake up and smell the coffee? Now you can ask me if I give a DAM- what some think! Although I don't agree with you.

Send me a post after 4 planes flown buy some cowards kill thousands of your fellow, innocent, brothers and sisters. I need to know what you think then. I can't speak for others, but, although I don't live there, I am a New Yorker now. I feel their pain. [Not forgetting the Pentagon or Schwanksville Pa.]

Afganistan still don't know what hit them.

Don't mess with the US. God Bless President Bush.

[grazinggoat]

It's lovely to see the Power of Good fighting the Power of Evil. Or the opposite. Now Who is Good and Who is Evil. Is it Bush? is it Chavez? is somebody else? Maybe Both are.

This is the danger the President Of the Most powerful Nation of the world ran by naming or qualifying others of the Axis of Evil.

Now who is telling the truth? is it Chavez or is it Bush. Maybe Both.

For sure one can say that the balloon of GeorgeWalkingLiar Bush started to deflate. His Terra'ist campaign started to falter, in the world and aaround him after they discovered he's been lying to the world and his team.

Was he under influence of Brain-Javeling by his counsellors who are influenced by an after all not so friendly to USA? Only history will tell. It will tell soon.

[aaglu]

You know you read all these stories about the US helping so many other countries. What happen to looking in your back yard first?

[aaglu]

Well I do not keep up with politics, but there is one thing that I can say. Chavez is doing one thing that our country (Pres. Bush) is not. He is helping the poor people in Alaska where they are paying up to 7.00/gal for gas in the rural communities. Read the story on KTUU http://www.ktuu.com/cms/anmviewer.asp?a=6452&z=1
Families most of which are below 80% Low to Moderate income are forced to choose between heat and food. Fuel oil could run up to 4.50/gal and when you have tempatures that could run around 50 below wind chill, people tend to buy fuel oil.

[laurieleemoo]

hugo chavez is showing his ignorance--AS USUAL.
i bet his education only goes to 1st grade--if that. i bet his IQ is 10. He is a thug ----not a statesman. i would love to have a debate with both he and the Iranian President----I would run circles around them---which of course---is not saying much.

[gtorlando]

It is time Americans, Dem or Pub to stop buying gas a Citgo, show your support of America and let Chavez know he can't be the world's cry baby and get away with it. I am a Democrat, but it is time to stand firm for America.

[maridelva70]

Sadly, this is the impression that a great number of countries, not only Venezuela, have of the Bush administration. You are peceived as warmongers, whose only God is the dollar sign. Americans, wake up and smell the coffee!!

[thgdriver]

Too bad I was not at the U N when Chavez was ranting on and on. I guess it would show "my" rudeness and lack of manners, but I would have liked to have knocked over a few tables as I got up and walked out. but then, I am not President of any country either. Just pushing the off button on my TV did not do it for me.

[yankreb2]

I believe the Lord brought all the people that started this country to America.. Saying that Pres. Bush is the devil is the same as saying the American people are the devil.. Watch this guy like a hawk.. Usually those who accuse others of something are that something themselves.. You don't put down our President.. He may make mistakes, but so do we all... Are you God?? We will all face the judgment, let God do His work...

[cditr]

TWO DAYS OF LISTENING TO TWO OF THE WORLDS WORST DESPOTS AND THE MEDIA HASN'T ONCE COME FORWARD AND HOLD THESE TWO THUGS TO THE CARPET .IT IS CLEAR THAT THEY (THE MEDIA)HAS AN AGENDA AND A BIAS FOR THE LEFT.I HAVE NOT SEEN ONE DEMOCRATIC FRONT RUNNER COME TO THE DEFENSE OF THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT A TRUE SHOWING OF THIER COLORS.....

[thgdriver]

Could it be that Castro is dead? It sure looks like Castro has been reincarnated already in this lunatic Chavez. I watched and listened to his rantings on the C-span Network. The man clearly has no upbringing or manners, just goes to show how LOW the United Nations has sunk, we should pull our money and our membership. We gave this creep a stage for the world to be brainwashed, and then we paid for it.

[mjv2944]

I believe drugs are fueling the terrorists, I wonder what the Prophet would have to say about the taliban being financed with drug money, no body in the media better mnention that, it will cause violent protests. The truth really hurts.

[luvny-2009]

suzyqzy66..didn't say I hated him I said I think he nuts, my opinion no need for me to have to justify....I believe history will.

[suzyqzy66]

And what is Chavez doing with all that oil money. Is he feeding his people. I doubt it.