Fox show guest mangles Venezuelan history, claims Chavez was president in 1980s (VIDEO)

A guest who appeared on right-wing commentator Tomi Lahren’s Fox News show appears to be very confused about Venezuela’s history, chiefly the years of Hugo Chavez’s term, despite it apparently directly affecting her own family.

Vanessa Rivera, a member of the ‘Network of Enlightened Women’, was part of a three-person panel of “conservative” contributors on the show to share their “inspirational stories of trials and triumphs on America’s college campuses.”

@magdelenehorzempa, @neetu_chandak, and @CandidNessa, 3 of the contributors to #ShesConservative: Stories of Trials and Triumphs on America’s College Campuses had the chance to share their inspirational stories with @TomiLahren on @foxnation. WATCH HERE: https://t.co/51ATXIamQq pic.twitter.com/x6G006EXLU

— Enlightened Women (@NeWNetwork) 21 de marzo de 2019

Part of Rivera’s rags-to-riches story appeared to begin with her mother fleeing a "socialist-ruined Venezuela". However, she proceeded to either confuse her family’s timeline, expose her lack of knowledge about the country’s history – or both.

“My mother left Venezuela in the 80s because under Hugo Chavez the “president” not dictator of the country, socialism was rampant and it was running the country,” said Rivera in a questionable summary of Venezuelan history.

Hugo Chavez did not gain control in Venezuela until 1999. pic.twitter.com/LIHLBQWkvR

— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) 21 de marzo de 2019

Ella dice que su mamá salió de Venezuela en los 80s, porque bajo Hugo Chávez, el socialismo estaba arruinando el país..
en los 80s..
Chávez fue presidente en 1999..pic.twitter.com/MQ70XbYYbF

— Camila (@camilateleSUR) 23 de marzo de 2019

Chavez actually didn’t become president of Venezuela until 1999, staying in power until his death in 2013. The gaffe was picked up on by several viewers who took to Twitter to point out the mistake.

Can you tell @CandidNessa that Chavez didn't take power till 1990. Thanks.

— Brandolfski 🌹🥚 (@dagreatscienski) 23 de marzo de 2019

"Enlightened Woman" has a lapsus while denouncing "rampant neoliberalism" in the 80s when the Venezuelan neoliberal dictatorship destroyed the economy and in 1989 killed 3000+ people demanding food and work in Caracas (known as the "Caracazo"). #Venezuela https://t.co/QqBxx6ohs2

— taseenb (@taseenb) 23 de marzo de 2019

Never let bothersome things like historical facts get in the way of a narrative.

— RotoB (@RotoBansaii) 21 de marzo de 2019

Who can forget the famous socialism of... *checks notes*... the leadership that Chavez tried to orchestrate a coup against?

— Stoner_Freeman💀🚬🔥 (@piratesofdestny) 22 de marzo de 2019

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