Tim Padgett – “What My Talks With Hugo Taught Me About Chavismo in Venezuela”

The oil-rich nation of Venezuela has been embroiled since mid-February in its worst turmoil in a decade, as angry citizens have taken to the streets to protest poor economic conditions. The chaos began nearly a year after former president Hugo Chavez died of cancer. Tim Padgett, Americas editor for WLRN in Miami, covered Chavez for more than 20 years. In his recent piece, “What My Talks With Hugo Taught Me About Chavismo in Venezuela”, Padgett reflects on his years covering the charismatic leader.