Revolution in Ruins: The Hugo Chávez Story
BBC TWO, 9.00PM
This is a fascinating account of the rise and fall of Venezuela’s charismatic former president Hugo Chávez, who died six years ago and whose 12 years in power left the country in a severe economic crisis. Poverty levels in Venezuela are now among the worst in the world, despite the fact that it has the largest oil reserves on the planet and a population of just 30 million, meaning that it should really be one of the wealthiest countries of all.
Director Ruth Mayer traces Chávez’s ascent from a traditional rural background through the ranks of the military, until he led a failed coup in 1992. She investigates how his idealism, natural gift for communication and desire to share out the fruits of Venezuela’s wealth ensured that this was only a temporary setback; he rode to the presidency in 1998 on a wave of popular feeling. But political paranoia and an obsession with remaining in power swiftly set in, and the dream began to fall apart. This documentary raises more questions than it answers; nevertheless, as a reminder of the perils of allowing populist politicians – whether from the left or the right – to wield too much power, it offers food for thought. Gerard O’donovan trip moves on to Texas, as the father and son arrive in the Lone Star State, where they visit a space centre, play with very big guns at a tank firing range, and look into alleged alien sightings with UFO investigators from Houston.