Pablo Navarrete // Venezuela deserves a fair hearing  http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/apr/09/venezuela-hugo-chavez

I was motivated by the experience I had living and working in Venezuela between 2005 and 2007. During that time, I initially worked as the Venezuela researcher for John Pilger's documentary 'The War on Democracy,' which explores the brutal interventions against democracy in Latin America by successive US governments. For the research, I spoke to Venezuelans from all sectors of society but especially to the government's grassroots supporters and community activists in the barrios (low-income neighborhoods) that encircle Caracas.

These activists repeatedly told me that they were aware of the international media's obsession with Chavez the individual -- and were frustrated that their voices were ignored in the foreign media, unlike the government's domestic and international opponents. They admired Chavez' leadership qualities and recognised his charisma, but most insisted they were the true force behind Venezuela's process of radical change