The Chavez issue has deeply that country's society. It is at root a struggle for power, with Chavez determined to sweep away the old institutions by promising parvenus the spoils. There are enough black hats on both sides to keep things from being too clear-cut; but it is enough to say that Chavez is most definitely not a white hat.
The current struggle is like a prizefight where the two boxers keep savaging each other for round after round. Chavez staged a coup earlier. His opponents came back. Chavez was ousted in a counter-coup. Then he came back. This match will go to the last man standing. One thing is for sure, Venezuela will be a gutted prize.