Here's Freedom House Research director Arch Puddington, speaking to the AP on the just-released Freedom House report: "The most powerful authoritarian regimes have become more repressive, more influential in the international arena and more uncompromising."
Among these more repressive regimes are Iran, Russia, Venezuela and Vietnam.
From the report itself:
Venezuela received a downward trend arrow due to the politically motivated disqualification of opposition candidates and the abuse of state resources by incumbent politicians during state and local elections.
Overview
The run-up to Venezuela's state and local elections in November 2008 was characterized by politically motivated disqualifications of opposition candidates and the abuse of state resources, though the balloting itself was orderly and the vote count appeared fair. A large majority of races were won by candidates associated with President Hugo Chavez, but the opposition won in a number of populous states and districts. In July, Chavez issued a set of decrees that signaled the increased militarization of society. Meanwhile, bilateral relations with both neighboring Colombia and the United States deteriorated significantly during the year.
Access report here.
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