Chávez
was released from prison on the condition that he not return to the military. Once freed, however, the young officer quickly became a vocal critic of
Caldera's neoliberal policies. While
Chávez initially believed that military action was needed to bring about
political change, he later came around to the notion of participating in the
political process. In 1997, he founded a new party, the Fifth Republic
Movement, to further the Bolivarian cause.
Above, Chávez gives an interview in March 1995.
PEDRO UGARTE/AFP/Getty Images
