In reply, thousands of Venezuelans opposed to what they regard as Mr Chavez's despoticrule have taken to the streets after dark, clanging pots and pans in a noisy protest.
The difference between him and Chavez is that Chavez was able to enlist supporters thanks to his oil-rich resources which enabled him to bribe a population unwilling to think about the long term consequences of his despoticrule.
Hard cases make bad law, which is why they are reserved for the Constitution, not left to the caprice of legislatures, the sophistry and casuistry of judges or the despoticrule making of the chief executive and his bureaucracy.