I would not characterize what Chavez does "scapegoating". He blames US policy makers and CIA because he feels that they have illegally tried to usurp his power as the duly elected leader of his country from the time he was elected. He also believes that there have been attempts to murder him that were CIA induced. Perhaps he has talked to family members of Salvador Allende or one of the several other elected former leaders in his region that have been murdered or victimized by coups. What I am saying is that perhaps he is not just some paranoid nut case and that his fears are based on reality. That's another way YOU could look at it.
As far as earthquakes being caused by other than natural means, the jury is out on whether or not this is possible. However if it is, and there was any sort of political reason for causing a genocidal, destructive and disruptive earthquake, naturally, for many reasons, THE prime suspect from any intelligent South or Central American leaders perspective would be the US and the CIA."