How Chavez Lost The Venezuelan Middle Classes (2003)

Bolivarian Revolution (2003): Venezuela is bitterly divided -- torn between those who support Chavez and those who oppose him. It has become so polarized, it's paralysed.

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Chavez's supporters, the Chavistas, always carry a little blue book -- the constitution of their elected president - and wear their hearts proudly on their sleeve: "He's enlightened and protected by God," comments one Chavista. But these feelings are by no means universal. Despite the vast oil revenue, over 70% of the population live in poverty. Chavez came to power promising social reforms, but strikes have led to economic collapse. "His relationship with the poor is just empty rhetoric ... his economic policies create more poor every day," complains trade union leader Pablo Medina. During the 1990s he provided vital support for Chavez but now regards his former comrade as a class traitor. Many of Chavez's other supporters are starting to question his policies. The middle classes have lost confidence in the police and barricade themselves behind heavily armed compounds. Those who can are fleeing the country in droves. "If things keep going as they are, I think we could have a civil war," states Fernando: "This is not a revolution. Ordinary people aren't getting anything out of it. The only people benefiting from it are him and the people around him."

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ABC Australia - Ref: 1679