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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| How Hugo Chávez went from poverty and prison to the presidency | How Hugo Chávez went from poverty and prison to the presidency |
| (less than a minute earlier) | |
| 1954 | 1954 |
| Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is born to impoverished teacher parents near Sabaneta, a small town in south-western Venezuela. He is the second of six surviving children, all boys. | Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is born to impoverished teacher parents near Sabaneta, a small town in south-western Venezuela. He is the second of six surviving children, all boys. |
| 1971 | 1971 |
| A local historian, José Esteban Ruiz Guevara, talks to Chávez about history and politics. At the age of 16, Chávez wins a place at Venezuela's military academy. He graduates five years later with a reputation as an unruly student. | A local historian, José Esteban Ruiz Guevara, talks to Chávez about history and politics. At the age of 16, Chávez wins a place at Venezuela's military academy. He graduates five years later with a reputation as an unruly student. |
| 1976 | 1976 |
| Chávez joins the Venezuelan army, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. However, in time he begins to feel contempt for the military, seeing it as an instrument of a corrupt government. | Chávez joins the Venezuelan army, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. However, in time he begins to feel contempt for the military, seeing it as an instrument of a corrupt government. |
| 1992 | 1992 |
| Chávez and other disillusioned officers begin to plot against the government. The authorities are alerted and the renegades are either killed or jailed. | Chávez and other disillusioned officers begin to plot against the government. The authorities are alerted and the renegades are either killed or jailed. |
| 1998 | 1998 |
| Despite the failed coup, ordinary Venezuelans admire the pluckiness of Chávez. Released from jail, he casts himself as a leftist firebrand, founding the Movement of the Fifth Republic. Chávez wins 56% of the vote in the election and becomes president. | Despite the failed coup, ordinary Venezuelans admire the pluckiness of Chávez. Released from jail, he casts himself as a leftist firebrand, founding the Movement of the Fifth Republic. Chávez wins 56% of the vote in the election and becomes president. |
| 1999 | 1999 |
| With approval ratings touching 80%, "El Comandante", as he has come to be known, sets about implementing his social revolution by redistributing the country's wealth. He forges links with his hero Fidel Castro in Cuba, and visits the US, meeting Kofi Annan at the UN and throwing the first pitch at a New York Mets game. Back home his party begins to frame a new constitution to strengthen his powers. | With approval ratings touching 80%, "El Comandante", as he has come to be known, sets about implementing his social revolution by redistributing the country's wealth. He forges links with his hero Fidel Castro in Cuba, and visits the US, meeting Kofi Annan at the UN and throwing the first pitch at a New York Mets game. Back home his party begins to frame a new constitution to strengthen his powers. |
| 2000 | 2000 |
| A presidential election is held under the new constitution, which gives Chávez a six-year term, despite some unease about his reputed autocratic leadership. | A presidential election is held under the new constitution, which gives Chávez a six-year term, despite some unease about his reputed autocratic leadership. |
| 2002 | 2002 |
| Opposition grows over his radical programme, leading a million people to take to the streets. The protesters clash with the military, which sparks a chain of events including the arrest of Chávez by his own soldiers. The military then appoints an interim president, Pedro Carmona, but within days sacks him, opting instead to swear in Chávez's vice-president, Diosdado Cabello, who in turn instructs soldiers loyal to Chávez to release him. After a two-day coup, Chávez is back in the presidential palace. | Opposition grows over his radical programme, leading a million people to take to the streets. The protesters clash with the military, which sparks a chain of events including the arrest of Chávez by his own soldiers. The military then appoints an interim president, Pedro Carmona, but within days sacks him, opting instead to swear in Chávez's vice-president, Diosdado Cabello, who in turn instructs soldiers loyal to Chávez to release him. After a two-day coup, Chávez is back in the presidential palace. |
| 2004 | 2004 |
| Chávez lavishes funds on social programmes, such as literacy and healthcare, thanks to the money flowing from nationalised oil companies. The populist measures are welcomed by Chávez supporters (chavistas) and help him survive a national referendum called by the opposition, who say he is not fit for office. | Chávez lavishes funds on social programmes, such as literacy and healthcare, thanks to the money flowing from nationalised oil companies. The populist measures are welcomed by Chávez supporters (chavistas) and help him survive a national referendum called by the opposition, who say he is not fit for office. |
| 2006 | 2006 |
| Chávez triumphs in the polls again, winning a third presidential term, this time with 63% of the vote. His reputation as a champion of the anti-US imperialism movement sees him welcomed abroad. In London, he is greeted by the mayor, Ken Livingstone. | Chávez triumphs in the polls again, winning a third presidential term, this time with 63% of the vote. His reputation as a champion of the anti-US imperialism movement sees him welcomed abroad. In London, he is greeted by the mayor, Ken Livingstone. |
| 2009 | 2009 |
| Chávez is able to stand for president indefinitely, instead of being limited to two terms. Critics accuse him of muzzling the press as well as his opponents to get the law passed. | Chávez is able to stand for president indefinitely, instead of being limited to two terms. Critics accuse him of muzzling the press as well as his opponents to get the law passed. |
| 2011 | 2011 |
| Chávez reveals he is being treated for cancer and later undergoes an operation in Cuba, which aides say went well. | Chávez reveals he is being treated for cancer and later undergoes an operation in Cuba, which aides say went well. |
| June 2012 | June 2012 |
| Chávez delights his supporters by dancing on stage as he announces his bid for another presidential term. | Chávez delights his supporters by dancing on stage as he announces his bid for another presidential term. |
| October 2012 | October 2012 |
| Chávez wins fourth term in office, defeating rival Henrique Capriles with more than 54% of the vote. | Chávez wins fourth term in office, defeating rival Henrique Capriles with more than 54% of the vote. |
| 5 March 2013 | 5 March 2013 |
| After three months without being seen in public, vice-president Nicolás Maduro announced that Chávez had died in a military hospital in Caracas. | After three months without being seen in public, vice-president Nicolás Maduro announced that Chávez had died in a military hospital in Caracas. |
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