Chavez fights for his political life -- -- chicagotribune.com

Chavez fights for his political life -- -- chicagotribune.com: "havez fights for his political life
Venezuela's leader refuses to leave despite strike, strife

BY LETTA TAYLER | LATIN AMERICA CORRESPONDENT
December 15, 2002



CARACAS - When he strode back into the presidential palace here April 14, two days after being ousted in a coup, a jubilant President Hugo Chávez vowed to make peace with disgruntled Venezuelan civilians and military leaders who had conspired to unseat him.

'I haven't any thirst for revenge,' the leftist strongman declared. 'I have returned to rectify the problems of this country.'

Eight months later, this nation rich in oil but rife with poverty is more polarized than ever, and once again, Chávez is figh"