ENGLISH | Chavismo: The Plague of the 21st Century HD

Venezuela and Latin America have had a rocky beginning of the century. In good part due to the rise to power of a charismatic commander, Hugo Chávez. This Venezuelan soldier ended up writing a very dark chapter in recent history. Much has been said and published about him. Yet, most of what has been written about his character has had little, or no impact on what the poor believe of him, even after enduring the total disaster his rule has brought to Venezuela and the entire region. His speeches, harsh but simple, eloquent and in complete tune with the masses and always pointing at imaginary enemies, ended up captivating thousands of people around the world. Commander Chavez painted himself as a redeeming leader, the defender of the poor. One who would end the powerful political mafias and reestablish the country with his sole presence. Once in power, it was a different story. He indiscriminately used the state’s resources to promote himself and stay in power, hounded his political opp