THE BATTLE OF VENEZUELA: Latin America Bureau Short Books

Venezuelan President Hugh Chavez inspires hatred and devotion in equal measure in his country. Historically one of South America's more stable democracies, since 2000 Venezuela has become increasingly polarised politically, as the divide among the pro- and anti-Chavistas has grown ever wider. Chavez has survived a coup attempt and repeated calls to stand down from office, while he has played a high-stakes game of geopolitical risk, aligning himself with US enemies Fidel Castro and Libya's Colonel Gadaffy, even while the US eyes Venezuela's considerable reserves of oil. But, while he might be a compelling emblem of modern Venezuela, Hugo Chavez isn't the whole story. In this book, "Irish Times" and "Guardian" journalist Michael McCaughan investigates not only the rise of the charismatic former army office, but also the deep division in Venezuela, and examines the conundrum of Chavez' Venezuela and its place within the hemispheric interests of George Bush's Imperium.

"With the practised eye of an experienced and independent-minded journalist, McCaughan gives a vivid eyewitness report of the extraordinary events of the coming to power of Hugo Chvez, and examines the strange alliance of newspaper barons, corrupt union leaders, and desperate business executives that has sought to destroy his government. His book will be welcomed by all those interested in the complexities of the most original political experiment in Latin America since the Cuban Revolution."

Richard Gott, author of In the Shadow of the Liberator

"In a clear and coherent manner McCaughan presents the developments of a politically complex country. The book will serve as an excellent text for those new to the study of Venezuela and an illuminating read for those already familiar with the country."

Julia Buxton, Senior Lecturer in Politics, Kingston University

Venezuela is bitterly divided over the ambitious political reform programme led by Hugo Chvez Frias, a charismatic former coup plotter who swept the traditional parties out of office in December 1998, winning 56 per cent of the presidential vote.

But there is more to Venezuela's current crisis than Chavez. Venezuela is riven by long-term politics of exclusion, by seemingly unbearable tensions ignited between sovereignty and the challenges of neo-liberalism and between private interests and social justice.

In The Battle of Venezuela, Irish journalist Michael McCaughan paints a vivid picture of unfolding events in Venezuela, covering the action on the streets while also conducting extensive interviews with people of all political stripes. McCaughan analyses Venezuelan history, investigates the role Chvez has played in contemporary politics, and evaluates the significance of the on-going political tug-of-war for Latin America.

Michael McCaughan has reported extensively from Latin America for The Irish Times and The Guardian, among others. He is the author of True Crimes: Rodolfo Walsh, the Life and Times of a Radical Intellectual (Latin America Bureau, 2002).

The third in a series of topical and concise books from the Latin America Bureau, covering current affairs and major issues affecting the region and beyond.