of opposition politicians and dissident troops staged a coup. Chavez was arrested and flown to a military base on a Caribbean island.

* Two days later, loyal military officers and protests by supporters swept him back to power. Chavez accused the United States of being behind the putsch, and said he feared he was about to be killed. The drama of his return as president has since taken on almost religious overtones for some passionate "Chavistas."

* Chavez has enjoyed wide backing among the poor majority partly thanks to massive state spending to expand health and education programs, financed by income from oil exports. He has also cultivated support by confronting the United States, which he denounces as a decadent, war-mongering empire.

* Several times he has threatened to stop oilcolorful and strong language that draws on the macho culture of the "llanos" of his youth, and the barracks of his military career. Like Fidel Castro, he is known for long-winded televised speeches that often drag on late into the night. Last year he broke his own record by speaking for nearly 10 hours. Since his latest surgery in Cuba, however, Chavez has had trouble talking.

* Chavez announced in mid-2011 that he was being treated for cancer and has had four operations in Cuba since then. He has wrongly declared himself cured twice.

* Chavez won re-election in October last year with 55 percent of the vote but was unable to be sworn in for his new six-year term beginning on January 10. Venezuela's Supreme Court ruled that he