Importing 'violent' video games now a crime in Venezuela

Importing 'violent' video games now a crime in Venezuela
Venezuela's Hugo Chavez has signed into effect a new anti-violent video game law that makes it a crime to import "violent" video games, with offenders being forced to pay a heavy fine or even spend up to five years in prison.

Gamethirst has translated the "Ley para la Prohibición de Videojuegos Bélicos y Juguetes Bélicos" (Law for the banning of violent video games and toys) and posted it (reposted here):



1. Violent video games: Video games or programs that can be use on personal computers, arcade systems, video game consoles, portable devices or mobile telephones, or any other electronic or telephonic device, that contain information or images that promote or incite violence and the use of weapons.

2. Violent toys: Objects or instruments that in form mimic any kind of weapon used by the National Bolivarian Armed Forces, weapons of war used by any other nation, citizen or state security forces, as well as those that, though not promoting war, establish the kind of game that stimulates aggressiveness or violence.

Article 13. Those who in any way promote the purchase or use of violent toys or video games as defined by this law will be punished with a fine of between 2,000 and 4,000 tax units.

Article 14. Those who import, manufacture, sell, rent, or distribute violent toys or video games will be punished with 3 to 5 years in prison.


The law seems pretty clear, distribute these violent video games and spend time in a Venezuelan prison.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 9 Mar 2010 12:37
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  • 19 comments
  • patrick_

    "Bélicos" isn't violent, it's "War", so he's talking about "War Games"

    9.3.2010 13:07 #1

  • unknown21

    I wouldn't want to live here. Most of the best games have at least some violence in them.

    9.3.2010 13:32 #2

  • Mik3h

    Originally posted by unknown21: I wouldn't want to live here. Most of the best games have at least some violence in them.Yet another reason to resort to piracy. Avoid jail time by downloading them. Oh the irony.

    9.3.2010 13:35 #3

  • Pride1

    Well thats one reason why I won't be going to Venezuela

    Venezuela = gamer's hell

    9.3.2010 14:36 #4

  • pcrazy99

    Doesn't sound good if you are a gamer in Venezuela. Also, that picture of Hugo Chavez is pretty funny.

    9.3.2010 15:16 #5

  • malcarada

    All countries have legislation regulating violent videogames, the US has it, Germany has it, the UK has it and now Venezuela has it too.

    The picture on this report has obviously been chosen by someone who does not like Chavez, and the report is misleading just as the picture is, you fool nobody.

    9.3.2010 17:13 #6

  • ThePastor

    Ummm, yeah, in the US you can make pretty much any game you want as long as you lable it correctly. That's a far cry from actually making it a crime punishable with serious jail time.

    As far as the article and picture being slanted against Hugo Chavez... can you find me something good to say about him?

    Oh wait... lemmee guess... Health care is free?

    9.3.2010 19:01 #7

  • Paladore

    yeah, living in canada we have all these violent video games and movies and toys and look how violent the people are...oh wait a sec, we aren't. its just control over their own people.

    9.3.2010 19:18 #8

  • DVDBack23

    Originally posted by malcarada: All countries have legislation regulating violent videogames, the US has it, Germany has it, the UK has it and now Venezuela has it too.

    The picture on this report has obviously been chosen by someone who does not like Chavez, and the report is misleading just as the picture is, you fool nobody.
    Haha if you are going to blindly accuse, at least back it up. Where is this report misleading? Where is there a law in Germany, the US, or the UK that states you can spend 3-5 years in prison for importing, selling or renting a violent/war video game? I'll wait. Chavez is an authoritarian who hates the United States, and the picture is funny, why wouldn't I use it?

    9.3.2010 20:56 #9

  • dab0ne

    even mario is violent. You hit enemies with fire balls, step on their heads and wack them with a racoon tail. What games can they actually play here?

    9.3.2010 21:08 #10

  • pcrazy99

    Originally posted by malcarada: All countries have legislation regulating violent videogames, the US has it, Germany has it, the UK has it and now Venezuela has it too.

    The picture on this report has obviously been chosen by someone who does not like Chavez, and the report is misleading just as the picture is, you fool nobody.
    Your comparison between US laws and Venezuela's new law is misleading.
    I agree all countries do have laws regarding video games. The USA, however, does not imprison a person for any amount of time for the importation of violent video games or for distributing them. If Venezuela passed a law regarding the rating of videogames and age requirements for buying these games than they would have laws just like us. Also I don't see what is misleading about the picture. It looks funny, pretty straightforward.

    9.3.2010 22:29 #11

  • KillerBug

    The old man lost his mind years ago, but now he it totally gone.

    I can't say I would have wanted to go to Venezuela before this law, this is just a drop in the crazy bucket for Mr Chavez.

    9.3.2010 23:12 #12

  • llongtheD

    It's too bad we can't hold our leaders accountable, as much as our leaders hold their citizens accountable. Think of what a different world it would be if that were the case....Or can we?

    If your fish seems sick, put it back in the water.

    9.3.2010 23:45 #13

  • hasamoder

    Australia hasn't had violent games ever as they get banned. We don't 18+ rating Hrrrrr! Sucks So we in even worse situation.



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    10.3.2010 01:39 #14

  • DXR88

    Originally posted by hasamoder: Australia hasn't had violent games ever as they get banned. We don't 18+ rating Hrrrrr! Sucks So we in even worse situation.Funny Cause i just played with my Aussie Buddy in BFBC2.

    10.3.2010 01:43 #15

  • hasamoder

    Check rating first I think it's 15 and over. Manhunt was one that got banned. Check the rating.

    10.3.2010 01:54 #16

  • Adamontar

    Violence is a very subjective term. Violence to one person may not seem violent to another. How did they justify what is violent and what is not?

    Whats the reason they have banned "violent" games and toys?.
    Is it because of the negative effects the violence in games and toys has on children.

    What about violent movies and cartoons are they going to ban those too or did Chavez forget about those?

    10.3.2010 05:59 #17

  • jdurden

    Why do so many D-Bags on this site defend Hugo Commi Chavez(I get it, they're not Communist). Can you rent an R-rated movie there or do you go to jail for 3-5 as well. It seems shady like he's trying to hide something from country. I guess a bar fight is life in prison because that's unforgivable real life violence. He has a very obscure view of what entertainment really is. I would respect him more if he banned Oxygen and Lifetime.

    10.3.2010 11:58 #18

  • whatname

    Chavez is buddy with Ahmadinejad for x sake! Anyone defending him needs their head examined + what are they doing on this site-spying? gathering names? Love the picture, show him up for the loony he is.

    12.3.2010 08:04 #19

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