Hugo Chavez Blames Gaming for Venezuela’s Violence, Pushes for Ban

Venezuela, known for its real world violence is taking a stand that would make Jack Thompson proud.

When things seem bad, cheer up, at least you have the freedom to buy video games. Just as some countries, such as Iran are beginning to experience new found eras of gaming joy, another one is looking to cut gamers off. Venezuela is taking a rather baffling stand against violent video games.

Apparently very much against digital violence, President Hugo Chavez’s administration has launched legislation in the nation’s National Assembly, which looks to ban the sale of violent video games such as Grand Theft Auto and prevent the sale of toy guns. The government insists the move is essential to curb street violence.

Venezuela is currently one of the most dangerous countries in South America. In its capital of Caracas dozens of people are estimated to be murdered daily, mostly in petty muggings or drug disputes. Hugo Chavez, though, insists that reports of 100,000 people being murdered in the country since 1999 are lies from private media, though he admits that the nation’s crime problems are quite bad.

The bill passed one vote and must now pass a second vote and be signed by Hugo Chavez in order to become law. Mr. Chavez, an ex-military officer and vocal socialist, is urging the assembly to vote the bill into law. He and many members of the country’s National Assembly believe that video games are warping the minds of Venezuela’s youth and causing violent tendencies.

In America, some groups and individuals such as the infamous Jack Thompson have fought hard to ban violent video games. Their efforts, however, have met with less success in the U.S.

Source: DailyTech