majority in the National Assembly by gerrymandering. All the while, Mr. Chavez rewrote the rule book on using the media to enhance his power. With "Alo Presidente" ("Hello, President"), his Sunday television program, he would speak to Page 13 of 6 EFTA00615159 viewers in his booming voice for hours on end.

the country's oil wealth. Mr. Chavez is renowned for his flamboyant public speaking style, which he has put to use in his weekly live TV programme, Alo Presidente (Hello President), in which he talks about his political ideas, interviews guests and sings and dances. Page 13 of 3 EFTA00615156