Venezuela has declared a week of mourning after the death of Hugo Chavez, with preparations under way for his body to lie in state. The 58-year-old president died last night after a two-year battle with cancer. He had suffered multiple complications following his latest operation on 11 December and had not been seen in public since then. Pat was joined by Barry Cannon author of Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution.
Venezuela's revolution has no gulags, no torture chambers, but in wasted potential lies tragedy. Provoking adoration and revulsion in equal measure, Hugo Chávez is a leader like no other. He can boast genuine accomplishments. He put poverty and social exclusion at the forefront of debate. He made millions feel they had an ally in government. And he called time on US browbeating in Latin America. But the price was high – Gutted institutions, a caudillo (strongman) cult, and economic dysfunction. In his new book, Comandante, acclaimed journalist Rory Carroll sheds light on the inside story of Chavez’s life and his ...
It's three weeks since the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. We recently spoke to Irish journalist Rory Carroll about his book 'Comandante: Hugo Chavez's Venezuela'. Since that, Rory has been back to Caracas and written about Chavez's elaborate burial ceremony where 2 million people queued to see his body dressed in military uniform.