Who is Hugo Chávez?
Since I have had the opportunity for face-to-face contact with President Chávez, it might be useful here to record some of my impressions. Like all successful Latin American leaders, he radiates unusual charm and charisma and he ingratiates himself with his audience by tailoring his discourse to their preferences and prejudices. But Chávez goes far beyond that. He makes jokes—truly funny ones—at his own expense. (Imagine Fidel Castro trying that!) He knows his country better than any Venezuelan politician, down to the smallest village or town in the deep Amazon. He can knowledgeably discuss complicated agricultural, transport, and housing issues. And perhaps most surprising of all, his grasp of military doctrine and tactics is extraordinarily thorough and complete; he is a true professional soldier, not just a parade-ground martinet. In fact I found Chávez a genuinely likeable man, and (unique for politicians) an interesting one as well. Chávez has also correctly identified Venezuela’s
