Venezuela's restive generals

Jane's defence Weekly Issue 2631 -  08 March 2001

HUGO CHAVEZ, Venezuela's charismatic and controversial president, has made two powerful enemies: the top brass of the armed forces and the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Chavez still enjoys the support of the poor majority, although his popularity rating in opinion polls has fallen from 70% to about 50%. His links with Cuba and revolutionary movements in South America have earned him the distrust of his own army and the United States.