The US Role in the Failed Attempt to Overthrow Hugo Chavez | Analysis | teleSUR English

31.7.16

The US Role in the Failed Attempt to Overthrow Hugo Chavez | Analysis | teleSUR English: The wave of progressive and revolutionary governments in Latin America began in 1998, with the election of Hugo Chavez as president of Venezuela. That marked the beginning of the Bolivarian revolution. Ecuador, Bolivia and Argentina would soon follow.

A man committed to the people, first and foremost the poor and the working class of Latin America, Chavez’s government would rapidly move to the left, a move that provoked a clash with both the domestic ruling class and the interests of U.S. imperialism.

The desire of U.S. to send a message to the region, namely those who saw Venezuela under Chavez as source of inspiration, would lead them to play an active role in the April 11, 2002 coup that saw President Chavez briefly ousted from power. The history of Latin America over the last decade would be radically different had a popular uprising against the coup not returned Chavez to power two days later.