Ch谩vez鈥檚 disdain for the US went hand in hand with his vexation about capitalism. So when the 鈥淵ankee empire鈥 bailed out banks in 2008, the Venezuelan president was quick to call Bush a socialist.
鈥淚 nationalize strategic companies and get criticized, but when Bush does it, it's OK,鈥 Ch谩vez said in September 2008. 鈥淏ush is turning socialist. How are you, Comrade Bush?鈥