Student Protesters Clash With Police at Venezuelan Rally

Staff / Truthdig Nov 2, 2007 Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez projects a certain confidence in his leadership prowess to the rest of the world, but this video of a student rally in Caracas indicates that not everyone in Chavez country is on board with his program. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Marc Cooper on Hugo Chavez

Marc Cooper / Truthdig Oct 12, 2007 A former translator for Chile's Salvador Allende reviews three books evaluating the remarkable rise of Venezuela's irrepressible Hugo Chavez. Dig deeper ( 9 Min. Read )

Chavez: Castro Ready for Another 100 Years

Staff / Truthdig Sep 22, 2007 Despite widespread speculation that Cuban leader Fidel Castro had died recently, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has assured the global community that Castro is, in fact, alive and doing better. Cuban officials, meanwhile, also say Castro is recovering but haven't said if and when he would return to office. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

When Sean Met Hugo

Staff / Truthdig Aug 3, 2007 Sean Penn is definitely no stranger to controversy, especially when it comes to his off-screen role as celebrity advocate. His latest foray into global politics will surely ruffle some feathers on Capitol Hill and beyond -- on Thursday, Penn met with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (pictured) after touring Caracas as part of the actor's effort to educate himself about the current situation in the South American nation. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

In Venezuela, Reality TV

Rosa Elizalde / Truthdig Jun 9, 2007 Imagine if a U.S. television station not only aired programs criticizing the federal government but went so far as to stage a coup to overthrow the administration. That scenario may be difficult for Americans to imagine, but Venezuelan opposition station RCTV did just that in 2002. Cuban journalist Elizalde takes a look at the Venezuelan media landscape in the aftermath of RCTV's officially mandated shutdown. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Competitive Diplomacy

Mr. Fish / Truthdig Apr 6, 2007 Dig deeper

Bush Calls for End of Communism in Cuba

Staff / Truthdig Mar 7, 2007 While preparing for his Latin American tour, the president suggested that Cuban communism should die with Fidel Castro. Bush also took a shot at his nemesis in the region, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, for his recent decision to nationalize some private industry: "I strongly believe that government-run industry is inefficient and will lead to more poverty." Before passing judgment, remember that our president is, in fact, an expert on government inefficiency. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Castro Pokes His Head Out

Staff / Truthdig Feb 28, 2007 Fidel Castro has finally made a public appearance -- the first since surgery prompted speculation about his health and rule. Appearing on his buddy Hugo Chavez's radio show, Castro said, "I feel good and I'm happy." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Why Chavez Isn’t Just Another Castro

Staff / Truthdig Feb 12, 2007 While Hugo Chavez is often presented in the West as the second coming of Fidel Castro, the reality is far more complex. For example, critics who chastise Chavez for silencing a critical television station often fail to mention that the same media outlet promoted and participated in a military coup against the democratically elected Venezuelan president. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Bush Turns CIA Loose on Chavez

Staff / Truthdig Jan 22, 2007 CIA Director Gen. Michael V. Hayden told the House Intelligence Committee that President Bush has ordered him to "pay more attention" to Hugo Chavez. According to former intelligence czar John Negroponte, U.S. intelligence already pays a great deal of attention to Chavez, leaving one to wonder exactly what kind of action has been authorized, particularly for an agency with a long history of meddling in Latin America. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Chavez Raises Doubts Over Castro’s Health

Staff / Truthdig Jan 20, 2007 Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has reinvigorated speculation over Fidel Castro's health after announcing that the Cuban leader is "locked in a battle for his life." The two leaders are known to be close, and Castro has yet to make a public appearance since undergoing surgery in July. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Chavez Consolidates Power

Staff / Truthdig Jan 19, 2007 Hugo Chavez has won preliminary approval to rule by decree for 18 months. The Venezuelan president has said he intends to enact sweeping reforms, including the elimination of term limits for the president and the nationalization of some key industries. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )