His enemies accuse him of turning Venezuela into a Communist dictatorship. But is Chavez's vision of a socialist economy the new future of Latin America? In the slums of Caracas, Dr Isol Capote's surgery is open for business. It's all part of a deal which provides cheap oil for Castro in exchange for Cuban doctors. The deal has enraged America, which wants to overthrow Castro. But the barrios are delighted: It's the first time they've had access to free medical care. "Under the old government, the poor were repressed," explains one resident. "Now there's justice and people are more equal." Chavez's enemies accuse him of buying votes and fomenting class hatred. They're received US funding and are working to overthrow him. But Chavez himself remains unconcerned. "We can't accept that we're just the United States' backyard ... we have to be free."
View El Commandante - Venezuela. Video hosted on Youtube. On the picture: In the clouds: mountain vista around Puerto La Cruz and Parque Nacional Mochima. IIf you could channel-surf for landscape, Venezuela would tire out any remote.
Venezuela is epic in proportion: it boasts South America's largest lake and third-longest river, the highest waterfall in the world, the longest of all snakes, and some of the most spectacular landscapes you'll ever see.
There are the snowcapped peaks of the Andes in the west; steamy Amazonian jungles in the south; the hauntingly beautiful Gran Sabana plateau, with its strange flat-topped mountains, in the east; and miles of white-sand beaches fringed with coconut palms on the Caribbean coast.
The tourist season in Venezuela runs year-round, but consider the climate and Venezuelan holidays before finalizing your travel plans. Venezuela has a dry season (late November to early May) and a wet season (the rest of the year). The dry season is certainly more pleasant for traveling, particularly for hiking or other outdoor activities, though sightseeing in cities or towns won't be greatly disturbed by rain. Some sights, such as waterfalls, are actually more impressive in the wet season. Angel Falls is absolutely spectacular after heavy rains in the wet months, but may be little more than a thin ribbon of water in the dry season. Furthermore, the falls can be inaccessible by boat in dry months.
Street crime in Venezuelan cities is reasonably common, particularly Caracas. Travelers should use common sense to avert any dangerous situations and respect any local advice regarding areas to avoid. Extra caution is advised on the highway between Caracas and the international airport (Maiquetia) which can be subject to violent armed crime. Travelers should avoid using this route after dark if possible. Venezuelan politics is unpredictable and demonstrations and public protests are common. Travelers are advised to avoid such gatherings as they can become violent; monitor news services for any potential unrest. Any travel near the Colombian border in more remote Zulia, Táchira, Apure and Amazonas states should be avoided due to the presence of Colombian guerillas and various other armed types.
Venezuelans are mad about traveling to visit friends, family and the beach over Christmas (through till mid-January), Carnaval (several days prior to Ash Wednesday) and Semana Santa (Holy Week; the week before Easter Sunday). These periods are colorful and alive with a host of festivities, but you may need to plan ahead for accommodation and transport.
Hugo Chavez, born in 1954 is president of Venezuela since 1999. A former soldier, Chavez is a self-styled socialist who has won the allegiance of Venezuela's poor and working class while alienating the upper class and some sections of the middle class. In foreign affairs he has cultivated close relations with the leftist governments of Bolivia, Cuba, and Nicaragua, rejected efforts to establish free trade zones in Latin America, and defied the United States on many foreign policy issues, including developing closer ties with the anti-U.S. government of Iran. Born in Sabaneta, he attended the Military Academy of Venezuela, graduating in 1975 as a second lieutenant. In 1982 he founded the Revolutionary Bolivarian Movement (MBR), a secret nationalist movement committed to restoring Venezuela to its former prominence. He progressed through the ranks of the army, and in 1991 he became colonel of a paratrooper regiment.
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