Since taking power in 1999, the flamboyant former soldier
has become a global flag-bearer of "anti-imperialism," gleefully
baiting the United States government while befriending leaders from Iran to
Belarus whom the West views with suspicion.
At home, casting himself as an heir to independence hero
Simon Bolivar, Mr Chavez has poured billions of oil revenues into anti-poverty
programs, and skilfully used his humble roots and folksy oratory to build a
close connection with the masses.
While that connection ensured his re-election, the
opposition's big share of the vote reflected a real and growing anger at Mr
Chavez's failure to fix basic problems such as violent crime, potholed roads,
electricity blackouts and entrenched corruption at all levels.
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