Hugo Chávez
The President of Venezuela who pursued the "Bolivarian Revolution" and governed for fourteen years.
Life
Paratrooper officer
Chávez came from a family of teachers in the plains region and was a paratrooper officer. In 1992 he launched a failed coup and was imprisoned for two years; after his release he formed a political party and was elected President in 1998.
Failed coup
In 1999 he pushed through a new constitution, renaming the country the "Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela." Using revenue from high oil prices he pursued social programs in health care, education and housing, placed the oil company under government control, had tense relations with the United States and allied with Cuba and other countries. In 2002 he was briefly ousted in a coup but returned to office two days later.
Bolivarian Revolution
His supporters believe he let the poor share in the oil wealth, while critics argue he weakened democratic institutions and made the economy overly dependent on oil. He died of cancer in 2013 and was succeeded by Maduro.
Legacy
Chávez was the leading figure of Latin America's "left turn" in the early 21st century, and opinions of him differ sharply both in Venezuela and abroad.
Did you know? Every Sunday he hosted the TV program Aló Presidente ("Hello, President"), often talking for several hours at a stretch.
Key dates
- 1992Launched a failed coup
- 1998Elected President
- 1999Took office; introduced a new constitution
- 2002Briefly ousted in a coup, then reinstated
- 2013Died