But for Chávez's opponents, who have long charged that his goal is to transform Venezuela into a communist dictatorship, the Cuban workers are really preparing the ground for the "Cubanization" of Venezuela. Although the first Cubans came here shortly after Chávez took office in 1999, the controversy has heated up since the launch in recent months of three new programs: urban gardening, literacy training, and medical care for the poor.***
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez holds the sword of Simon Bolivar in Caracas, during a ceremony celebrating the 220th anniversary of the birth of the national hero, July 24, 2003. Two thirds of Venezuelans disapprove of President Chavez's government, his lowest approval rating since taking office more than four years ago, according to a survey published on Thursday. Venezuela has faced political instability for more than a year as Chavez's opponents stepped up a campaign to oust a leader they accuse of driving the world's No. 5 oil exporter to economic ruin and favoring Cuba-style communism. REUTERS/Howard Yanes
