Venezuela Threatens Harvard Professor for Default Comment Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro instructed the attorney general and public prosecutor to take “actions” against Harvard Professor Ricardo Hausmann, saying the economist sought to destabilize the country by suggesting the government default on its debt. Maduro lashed out at Hausmann during a televised address last night, calling him a “financial hitman” and “outlaw” who forms part of a campaign “that has been initiated around the world against Venezuela.” He didn’t specify what actions he had asked the attorney general and prosecutor to take. Venezuelan bonds tumbled earlier this week after Hausmann co-wrote an opinion piece Sept. 5 with a Harvard colleague arguing the country should consider defaulting because it had already imposed hardship on its people by racking up billions of dollars in import arrears that caused widespread shortages and fueled the world’s highest inflation rate. Maduro’s speech was “the despotic diatribe of a tropical thug,” Hausmann said by phone today. “He uses his position as head of state to intimidate people who think differently.” The president’s office, the attorney general and the information ministry didn’t reply to e-mails seeking comment on what actions were planned against Hausmann. Born in Venezuela, Hausmann had served as planning minister in the 1990s [...] ilinnews/venezuela-threatens-harvard-professor-for-default-comment/
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 02:15:34 +0000
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