Vivacious Venezuelan

Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Vivacious Venezuelan: "He has won eight free and fair elections, and has survived a US-tolerated coup and foolish verbal abuse from the White House. Hostile domestic media coverage reflects the interests of Venezuela's richest families. Still, there are concerns about his authoritarian tendencies, the role of the military, the independence of the judiciary and a lack of accountability in programmes that will not be sustainable if oil prices fall. Housing, job creation and the crime rate are all big weaknesses. Bolivia's Evo Morales counts him a close ally, as does Fidel Castro. The moderate centre-left leaders of Brazil, Chile and Argentina are less impressed.

Blind adulation and crude demonisation are equally unhelpful."