I have family in Vz. and most of the country is scared to death of Chavez.
He swung into office on a populist and democratic platform (inspite of the fact that he himself led an unsuccessful military coup) but has rewritten the constitution to empower himself with very undemocratic powers and has in fact ruled as a demogogue.
The coup attempt was predicted many months ago and was plainly an attempt by those whose civil rights have been seriously challenged by Chavez.
If Chavez in fact has rededicated himself to democracy and civil society, it will be a pleasant surprise.
I predicted a long time ago on this forum that Chavez' rule would lead to a civil war if not a dictatorship by him. Just as Hitler showed (another former military guy who tried at one point to have a coup) getting elected is not all there is to civil democratic rule.
Ed