Readers will remember how Hugo Chavez fanboy Owen Jones flew to Venezuela with Diane Abbott to oversee his re-election, all paid for by the socialist regime of course. Impartial observer Owen was just the man to make sure the elections were free and fair:

“Hugo Chavez was a democrat, not a dictator, and showed a progressive alternative to neo-liberalism is both possible and popular.”

Now the serial human rights abuser is dead, Nicolas Maduro, his chosen successor, is in charge and Diane is a big fan:

BBC News – Nicolas Maduro wins Venezuela presidential election http://t.co/pL9xFrxJD3 #abetterwayispossible

— Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) April 15, 2013

Well this week Maduro passed an Enabling Act permitting him to govern by decree, then announced that “we have more than 100 of the bourgeoisie behind bars at the moment”, as part of an “economic war”. As socialist Venezuela descends into tyranny, Owen Jones and Diane Abbott have gone rather quiet.

See also: Left’s Silence on Socialist Venezuela is Deafening, British Left’s Shameful Stance on Venezuela.