Hugo Chavez's criticism of the United States represent popular sentiment in Venezuela and in Latin America at large despite, not because of Mr. Chavez's popularity, flamboyant rhetorical style, and populist policies. Enemies of the Chavez government in Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, and elsewhere can protest President Chavez's portrayal of American foreign policy as belligerent, unpolished, and provocative. Nevertheless, Mr. Chavez's enemies, provided they are honest and familiar with Latin American history and current events, cannot deny the truth behind Mr. Chavez's often-cartoonish tirades against American imperialism.

The people of Latin America are long familiar with America's often-lethal interference in regional politics. In the 1980's, the United States called upon neighboring governments to assist in the ousting of Nicaragua's leftist government. In the 1970's, the United States called upon members of the military to overthrow President Allende of Chile. Millions died during the protracted war against Nicaragua's left. Augusto Pinochet followed the ousting of democratically elected President Allende. Dictator Pinochet then proceeded to rule Chile from the security of a brutal, U.S. supported, military dictatorship.

Decades of human rights reports and FOIA documents paint an ugly picture of torture, disappearances, coups, and terror spread by the CIA and by Latin American soldiers armed and equipped with U.S. tax dollars. Many of the latter trained at the School of the Americas. The SOA, located originally in Panama, now at Ft. Benning Georgia, is known throughout Latin America as the School of Coups or the School of Assassins. It exists today under the name W.H.I.N.S.E.C. after Congressional hearings in the United States inspired astounding dedication to the art of superficial reform.

Venezuelans do not need to look outside the borders of their country, nor do they need to delve far back in Venezuela's history to find a heavy American hand interfering with their domestic affairs. In 2002, a coup backed by the United States failed to overthrow Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez because Venezuelans, many of them armed, surrounded the Presidential grounds and demanded the return of their president. Meanwhile, members of the military loyal to Mr. Chavez carried out a successful rescue operation. President Chavez perhaps owed some of the loyalty shown by Venezuelan citizens and soldiers to fear, not fear of the Chavez government,

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