Venezuela’s rouged revolution - Socialist government fails to dampen country’s obsession with beauty pageants

“So far, the socialist vision of Mr. Chavez, whose re-election as president was formally confirmed yesterday, has not put a damper on the beauty industry. Despite all the government talk about the evils of capitalism and consumerism, beauty contests are, if anything, only gaining in popularity. Cosmetic surgery is going through a boom, thanks to the recent introduction by banks of plastic-surgery loans.

“There are no beauty pageants in Cuba, and there is some fear the government here will try to stop them since it’s not important for the revolution,” notes Julio Rodriguez, who runs a website chronicling beauty contests and has judged more than 185 competitions.”

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