JOSH CLAIMS: Sherrod Brown supports Hugo Chavez.

THE TRUTH: Sherrod Brown has never taken any actions to support Hugo Chavez, but has argued that the U.S. should not support a military coup.

1. During a time of turmoil in Venezuela, Sherrod Brown urged the Bush Administration to oppose a military coup. [Michigan Citizen, 1/4/03]

Brown Called On President Bush To State “Unequivocally” That The U.S. Government Opposed Any Attempt To Remove Chavez “By A Military Coup.” In January 2003, The Michigan Citizen published a letter sent to President George W. Bush and signed by Sherrod Brown among others.  The letter read, in part, “In light of the increasing political tension in Venezuela, and recognizing that part of the opposition leadership is determined to remove President Hugo Chavez by any means necessary, we, the undersigned organizations and individuals, call upon you to state unequivocally that the United States government opposes any attempt to remove the democratically elected government of Venezuela by a military coup or other unconstitutional means. Furthermore, the White House should affirm that the United States would not have normal diplomatic relations with a coup-installed government.”  [Michigan Citizen, 1/4/03]