Oh! How easy it is to lie! Particularly if you are Chavista and sloppy. And sloppy they were, as shown by by an expert, which clearly shows that Chávez signatures were faked in the decree naming Jaua as Vice-President, which also happens to be the same signature as in Chávez salutation to the Armed Forces at the end of the year. The same in that the trace is the exactly the same, despite the Government, via Minister Villegas, and Vice-President Maduro claiming Chávez actually signed it. No electronic signature here, these guys have been saying Chávez did sign it.
But you don’t need to be an expert. A friend noted this yesterday and I confirmed it later with a very simple exercise. Basically, the decree published in the Official Gazette on January 15th., has not one, but two decrees about Jaua. Curiously the two “signatures” of the President are different, in the sense that one uses a thicker ink trace than the other:
See, the two are MADE to look different, the ink is thicker on the left one. But additionally, the seal was placed in a different location and so was the name of the President, so that visually, there would be appear to be a difference. But the two signatures are IDENTICAL, no matter what the Venezuelan Vice-President says, that Chávez signed the decree. I did the following very simple exercise:
I placed both signatures on top of each other on a window, so that light would shine from behind, I then used my very sophisticated iPhone and holding both pieces of paper and the phone took this picture:
This picture is the superposition, magnified of both decrees, the ¨thinner¨signature of the two decrees is actually in the front. Despite this, as you can clearly see, the signatures in both overlap perfectly, despite the rather crude procedure, showing that this was made using an autopen machine: The signatures are identical, which never happens with real signatures, least of all with a convalescent patient. As the expert showed here, this signature is also identical to the end of the year salutation, which carries no legal validity, but shows that these are all fakes.
But Maduro is so dense, that even today, he tells EFE that Chávez actually signed this decree, which is clearly one of the many lies they have been telling us the last few days. To say nothing of Minister Villegas who said the decree would “prove” that Chávez named Jaua to the position.
As Jose Ignacio Hernandez’ article shows, all of Jaua’s acts are illegal, for the simple reason that he has not been sworn in by the President, as required by law, but more importantly, Chávez has yet to be sworn in, even if they might try to surprise us one of these days. (rumors he might come back tonight). But it is all illegal in any case, because the signatures are fake.
But even more importantly, faking the signatures is not only a crime, but using different widths and trying to make it look different, shows intent to defraud the Venezuelan Constitution and its citizens. And the Vice-President seems to be in on it.
I actually did this yesterday, but to be sincere, was too paranoid it to publish it first.
Only the paranoid survive!
The Devil's Excrement 
January 27, 2013 at 4:38 pm
muerachavez.blogspot.it/2013/01/prueba-de-vida-de-chavez-aqui.html#.UQWeUh1A2So
January 21, 2013 at 2:59 am
Venezuelan dialect? Where do you find Venezuelan dialect in this post?
January 20, 2013 at 9:15 pm
Re reading this post, it suddenly struck me that Venezuela now has TWO Vice Presidents. Si? My Spanish(especialy the Venezuelan dialect) is not so good so, I miss the part in the constitution, where two (or more) Vice Presidents are allowed. What do we call them? First Vice President, Second Vice President? More confusing is how to express this on the Comandante scale.
January 21, 2013 at 5:19 am
I propose vivice president or vice^2 president.
January 20, 2013 at 1:01 am
Anybody see the movie “Weekend at Bernie’s?”
January 20, 2013 at 4:04 am
You mean the one where a bunch of Bozos pretend their dead boss is alive so that they can spend his stolen money and enjoy his palace? The one where all the people on the island are so gullible the ruse works?
Yeah, I’ve seen it.
January 20, 2013 at 7:56 am
Check out this link to Caracas Gringo. He’s got the “Weekend at Bernie’s” poster with Maduro and D. Cabello holding up Chavez dressed as Bernie.
http://caracasgringo.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/opening-on-10-january/
“Opening January 10”. Funny stuff.
January 20, 2013 at 10:31 am
Wow! They were way ahead of me.
Actually, I knew about the movie, but never saw it. It had terrible reviews.
I wonder if the Venezuelan re-make will be any better. It probably will be funnier.
January 20, 2013 at 11:15 am
First saw this on Caracas Chronicles on 8 January. If you don’t know this blog you are missing out.
January 20, 2013 at 2:36 pm
That is the most incisive, succinct, spot-on analogy to the present situation en Havana/Caracas that I’ve seen. Hilarious & tragic all at once.
January 20, 2013 at 4:35 pm
I love the subtitle, “Este muerto esta muy vivo”. LOL!!!!
January 19, 2013 at 10:18 am
We are in a Copy / Paste country ( Cuba / Venezuela )
January 21, 2013 at 10:55 am
and in the land of shadow puppets: http://www.eluniversal.com/opinion/130121/rayma
January 19, 2013 at 9:52 am
Actually, today El Nacional reported it.
On the numbers, the problem is that it is difficult to make projections if there is no adjustemnt. On jan. 1st. the funding needs of the country were about 260 billion Bolivars. If they devalued to 7.5 Bs. per dollar, this would be quite manageable, leaving a deficit of 2-3%. However, it is Jan. 19th. and they have yet to devalue. At the official rate, Bs. 260 billion is about US$ 60 billion, that means that we have need US$ 3 billion in additional financing. The longer this goes on , the worse it gets…Any projection would have to know the date of an adjustment, until then, it is impossible to make projections, it is a moving target. .
January 19, 2013 at 2:48 pm
Can’t you make a projection on moving dates? It would simply be a slightly more complicated equation, but nothing difficult for you 🙂
January 19, 2013 at 9:56 pm
As things are, if they devalue to Bs. 7.5 before end of Februay, the economy will likely grow 1%, inflation will be 30%, reserves will improve sligthly and the parallel funds will have 15-20 billion by the end of the year. After that, every three months without a devaluation, takes us into negative GDP growth and then the choice is deplete the funds or devalue more. The choices multiply after that. Six months and there is a crisis unless they devalue to say Bs. 10, totally collapsing demand, inflation 35%, depleting the funds, negative growth of 3-5%.
January 20, 2013 at 4:11 am
Every day an election date is not announced delays devaluation by another day. If there is going to be a new election, it means devaluation can’t possibly happen before February 6th (assuming they are very quick and literally hold the election in 30 days with devaluation the following day). Chavez hanging on might be sinking Maduro’s chances in what should be an easy election.
January 20, 2013 at 5:07 am
You see, that is a much more detailed (if worrying) projection.
Now I can picture the chart.
Thanks. Let’s see how prices of you know what evolve.
January 20, 2013 at 11:23 am
The scenario for end of February devaluation is already all but impossible. I’m guessing May at the earliest.
January 19, 2013 at 9:45 am
Miguel Octavio, you are Better than the Inspector Gadget, how come Venezuelan press does not report this. On a separate note this year is about two things political transition and the economy. Can you write an article with numbers, stats and projections ‘a-la-Moises Naim’ about the state of the economy in 2013 and scenarios. Of special concern is the level of reserves and a potential and less distant than before debt default scenario.
Saludos,
Jose
January 19, 2013 at 8:16 am
What international repercussions could this have?
January 19, 2013 at 2:55 am
OT: Does anyone know exactly how the Sucre works?
http://www.eluniversal.com/economia/130118/venezuela-trims-us-dollars-for-imports-prompts-sucre
El Universal states that one Sucre is valued at 1.24 US dollars, is that a fixed rate or is it devaluing every day to the extent the Sucre is composed of Venezuelan Bolivars? Europe did use a virtual currency, but it did so after getting inflation under control in each member countries and allowing free exchange.
To my understanding, if the Sucre is a fixed rate then people will only use it if the valuation is fair to non-Venezuelans (a realistic valuation of the Bolivar). That would mean it would be a last resort for Venezuelan importers since CADIVI dollars are much cheaper (a roundabout way of avoiding exchange controls?). If the valuation is unrealistic, then it simply becomes another method of arbitrage on either side.
January 19, 2013 at 12:13 am
Unfortunately, “aquí no pasó nada”, and the pigs continue living it up in the farmhouse.
January 19, 2013 at 8:07 am
what was that ?
January 18, 2013 at 7:35 pm
This proof is of concern only to us. Who believe in reason and evidence as tools and criteria for settling arguments.
Maduro is clearly sending us a message in falsifying the signature of his boss so sloppily. If we could catch him on a villain gloating speech it would be something like this:
“So, what if it’s a fake. Boys, you cannot do a thing about it for no court in this country will ever hear you out! WE own the frigging courts! WE own the judges, d’ya think those corrupt frig-ups we appointed to the TSJ would dare defy US? Look, they are even safer than fanatics and believers. The other countries in the OEA will not lift a finger for truth’s sake, some will not risk business, and business is brisk with us! The others, as long as OUR TSJ and Assembly rubber stamp our crap, won’t say anything. not to be seen interfering in a Democratic State under Rule of Law. Yeah sure! And believe me, boys! We could nail a dead cat to the decree and they would certify it’s Hugo Chavez’s signature. In fact, WE did it that crappy so we can show you how insignificant you are, to show YOU that we did it because WE COULD GET AWAY WITH IT”
January 18, 2013 at 7:36 pm
And as a a parting shot: “Hugo Chavez DIES when WE SAY SO!”
January 19, 2013 at 7:58 am
I wouldn’t go so far as to give them credit for being so sloppy on purpose.
The rest is correct. Just another of countless violations that are aknowledged by an educated few, and discounted as attacks against the “revolution” (whatever that means) by the mindless, ass kissing, corrupt red zombie chavista base.
January 20, 2013 at 11:17 am
I could think that there are some forgers in Cuban intelligence (if he did not want to use Venezuelan ones) he could have used with total discretion. He could afford to be as sloppy as he was in actuality, and it showed through. The message is clear, however unintentional or intentional it might have been. They have the power to make a lie into truth, to hide truth, and we don’t. However it will all come back one day…
January 18, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Under United States contract law, a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or even seriously sleep deprived cannot sign a legal document or even testify in court. However, under Cuban-Venezuelan laws, it appears that being baracho, under anesthesia, drugs, or semi-comatose is just fine. The precedent has just been set.
January 18, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Great post, Miguel. –jsb
January 18, 2013 at 12:22 pm
Its in the interview in the link: “El presidente Chávez ha dado una orden y ha firmado un decreto y el decreto ha salido como salen centenares de decretos durante el año”
January 18, 2013 at 12:21 pm
I don’t recall hearing Maduro saying that Chávez had actually signed. I recall Maduro insulting those that raised the issue when he was asked by the journalist, but he never quite told that Chávez signed.
Am I mistaken?
January 18, 2013 at 1:40 pm
It doesn’t matter. The signature is fake and in no way proves Chavez was even aware of the choice. Furthermore, the document says it was signed in Caracas, but Chavez is in Havana.
Even if he were to sign the letter, it’s very questionable if it’s legal. He’s on medical leave, incapable of being sworn in.
January 18, 2013 at 10:43 am
Canalla
Hipocrita
Anticuado
Vergonzoso
Inutil
Sinverguenza
Torpe
Antipatico
January 18, 2013 at 11:00 am
No surprises here in my humble opinion. Until they’re finally forced to admit that Chavez has died, they can claim that pigs will fly and the Chavistas will look skyward.
January 18, 2013 at 3:05 pm
I don’t think he has died. If he had, the secret services everywhere would know and, for the time being, all the governments involved are pretty quiet.
January 18, 2013 at 7:14 pm
I don’t think he’s died yet either. I do think that when we finally do hear of his death, it will only be because they’ve delayed the news as long as possible.
January 18, 2013 at 7:50 am
Just subject all the chavistas to an international court were they can not rig the law. The truth is plain to see. They would make Lance Armstrong lies look like a baby
January 18, 2013 at 2:56 am
Corpses don’t sign.
January 18, 2013 at 12:25 pm
Maduro was holding Hugo’s dead hand
January 18, 2013 at 2:05 am
What a bunch of lazy idiots, you could fix that with Photoshop’s smudge tool, or even a large range of free software if they are too cheap. This is what happens when total idiots are promoted to the top position in government, you get incompetent conspiracies.
January 18, 2013 at 1:08 am
This may be a tipping point in this sordid history…
January 18, 2013 at 8:57 am
HOPEFULLY! There won’t be any future for the next generation is something isn’t done SOON. As it stands now, it will probably take 20 years to glue the country back to where it stood when Chavez was originally elected.
January 17, 2013 at 11:55 pm
As I’ve said a number of times, Chavez surrounded himself with sycophants chosen for their loyalty above all. Neither competence nor intelligence was a factor in selection, rather they were perceived as negatives, as threats to the supremacy of Chavez.
Incompetent and not very smart is to be expected. Still, a remarkably dumb move, faking a signature to appoint a *vice President* and then lying about it. No one voted for these bozos. No one.
January 17, 2013 at 11:07 pm
Yes, back soon to Military Hospital in Caracas to ‘rest and pass away in the country of his birth’
January 17, 2013 at 11:09 pm
Amen
January 18, 2013 at 12:17 am
Amen
January 17, 2013 at 10:41 pm
Well done Miguel, all this abuse of power is sickening and I am glad that somebody exposes it. If only fellow Latin American governments stopped being accomplices in this sad farce.
January 17, 2013 at 10:39 pm
Excellent detective work. The slight differences are clearly from the width of pen. The probability that these two signatures were personally signed by Chavez is zero.
Maduro and Chavismo are more arrogant than ever. They now believe they can get away with anything. This is dangerous. First the constitution and next the Chavistas will take away human and legal rights for those that disagree.
January 18, 2013 at 8:11 am
They can and do get away with anything. “Power corrupts, absolute power…” Who will stop them?
January 18, 2013 at 8:54 am
Well said!! When will anyone ever uncover the truths?? The entire Presidency has been built on lies & greed.
January 17, 2013 at 9:57 pm
Documents yes, decrees in the Official Gazette is a different matter from a legal point of view, but both Villegas and Maduro said this was not the case. They lied…
January 21, 2013 at 1:12 pm
…y en Venezuela no pasa nada. Everybody is alarmed, but nothing happens…unbelievable!
January 17, 2013 at 9:51 pm
I’m sorry but I do not believe it’s “fake”. Presidents in this country don’t sign documents by themselves. They sign documents using a machine in the Secretary of the Presidency. That is the costum since the 80’s