If you follow us on Twitter or Facebook, you know that last Wednesday marked the 12th anniversary of Hugo Chávez’s swearing-in as president of Venezuela. There’s no doubt that Mr. Chávez has accomplished some major things in 12 years – most notably, though, are his failed policies, a key factor in the slow but steady eradication of democracy, human rights and economic stability…

Today, we are counting down what you have told us are the TOP 12 MOST ABSURD CHÁVEZ MOMENTS. Below, are some of the most shameful and downright harebrained things “El Presidente” has done or said in the past 12 years…

#12: Hugo Chavez Mouthpiece Says U.S. Hit Haiti With ‘Earthquake Weapon’

Portavoz de Chávez dice que EE.UU. provocó el terremoto en Haití con un arma marino

#11: Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez has called for Barbie to be replaced

Chávez gira su atención a bancos y a la muñeca Barbie

#10: Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez Calls PlayStation Games ‘Poison’

Hugo Chávez de Venezuela llama los juegos de PlayStation “venenosos”

#9: Hugo Chávez calls for dieting in streets of Caracas

Hugo Chávez pone al país de Venezuela a dieta

#8: Chavez Asking Cubans to ‘Bomb Clouds’ Amid Drought

Chávez le pide a los cubanos que bombardeen las nubes durante sequía

#7: Hugo Chavez bans singing in the bath

Hugo Chávez prohíbe cantar en la ducha, limita la ducha a tres minutos

#6: Venezuela is ranked as one of 11 countries with the highest political risk in the world in 2011.

Venezuela está calificada como uno de 11 países con un alto riesgo político en el 2011.

#5: Chavez declares, “No private property is sacred because the Constitution doesn’t say so.” (April 2010)

2010 abril: “La propiedad privada no es sagrada por que no lo dice la Constitución.”

#4: In 2010, Inflation rose to 27.2%, the highest rate in the region.

En el 2010, la inflación en Venezuela aumento un 27.2%, la más alta en la región.

#3: Venezuela ranks at the bottom of the 2011 Index of Economic Freedom.

Venezuela tiene una pobre calificación en el Índice de Libertad Económica del 2011.

#2: Chavez demands Colombian soap opera be dropped because of “Little Hugo” character.

Chávez exige la cancelación de una telenovela Colombiana por su personaje de “Pequeño Hugo.”

And the #1 MOST ABSURD CHAVEZ MOMENT is…

Jan 5, 2011: Chavez signs the Rule by Decree into law, quashing basic tenants of democracy in Venezuela.

Chávez’s antics, both outrageous and tyrannical, have brought Venezuela to the brink of economic failure, political revolution and international ridicule. We have but one question: What’s Next Venezuela?

We would like to thank the following tweeps for sending in their most absurd Chávez moments: @Hugoandres1984, @felipelfonseca, @ Jacogori, @ojcf1977, @nyckika, @NeyLaGuerita, @orvex, @mariannperez and @belkysleahy. Keep sending us your comments on Twitter with #12ChavezQPena!

Gracias a los siguientes tweeps por enviarnos los momentos más absurdos de Chávez: @Hugoandres1984, @felipelfonseca, @ Jacogori, @ojcf1977, @nyckika, @NeyLaGuerita, @orvex, @mariannperez and @belkysleahy. Sigan enviado sus comentarios a Twitter con #12ChavezQPena!