Hi There,
D - Being an American, this is a concern for me, hence my question.
In any event, logic and smart thinking are rarely relevant when dealing with someone who looks like they want desperately to have absolute power. Everything Chavez has done up until now points in that direction (take a look at what he did with the oil industry there, while I'm no friend of Big Oil, it does make you worry that your investment could be taken from you at a moments' notice).
While many of his actions/plans are being done in the name of the people of his country, history tells us that these plans often backfire and that rulers who try to squash all opposition during their "revolution for the people" generally end up isolating themselves and their country. While this could take MANY years, it is still a possibility that needs to be accounted for. So while the action of government seizure of land sounds like lunacy to a rational-minded person, the mind of someone with such a large ego rarely works in the realm of reality.
Anway, I didn't want to get into a discussion of what is right or wrong politically. I just see things moving in a dangerous direction for anyone who could at some point be labeled a "wealthy foreigner/capitalist going into the country to take advantage advantage of the country's people and resources in the name of increasing their personal wealth (particularly if they plan to take the money out of the country)".
Maybe I'm completely wrong and am overreacting, but given Chavez's latest power grab moves, I'm more inclined to think otherwise. I would like to believe that he really does have the best interest of his people at heart, but as a foreigner (particularly an American),I have to ask the questions.
I just don't want to get in there, buy property, and then have Chavez proclaim that because of the bully tactics of the American government (I don't disagree that our government uses such tactics),he has decided to expel all Americans and seize their land and property holdings in the country. Remember, he has already talked about seizing property in the crowded urban areas so that he can provide for housing for the workers to solve the problem of the housing shortage. Oh well, I guess I'll have to do some on-the-ground research and talk to people who live there now, hence my participation in this forum.
Thanks again for your insight, anything I can learn is beneficial in the end.
Greg