Venezuela's Chavez resumes power - two-thirds of Venezuelans oppose him****''The 35 percent who support Chavez are much more organized than the rest, they have a single leader, and they are very, very passionate,'' he said. Chavez returned from detention in the early hours yesterday, and at about 4:30 a.m. he began one of his characteristically rambling speeches to the nation and the national assembly. He told anecdotes about his detention, appealed to God and fatherland, and called for peace and brotherhood among Venezuelans.
Chavez, who during the week preceding his deposition had railed against the independent media and repeatedly interrupted TV and radio with obligatory government transmissions, endorsed free speech and civil rights. However, he also pointedly called upon media owners to ''reflect'' and appeared to outline limits for the actions of political opponents. ''We need an opposition in Venezuela, but one loyal to the nation, loyal to the people,'' he said.
June 2001 ***Chavez addressed the issue during his homecoming speech, insisting that his popularity ``would never fall because Chavez is no longer Chavez. Chavez is the people.'' Increasingly, such rhetoric is frustrating key Chavez supporters - and has created unprecedented friction within his political coalition.***Fervor Fading Over Venezuela's Chavez--trucking in "supporters" giving marathon speeches
Does Chavez have any idea what he is quoting? George Orwell 1984- Big Brother is the State, the State is Big Brother.