Chavez Foe Sees Imitation as Path to Venezuela Presidency
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Henrique Capriles Radonski, whose family members own Venezuela’s biggest movie theater chain, is emerging as President Hugo Chavez’s strongest rival in 2012 elections by copying his favorite ploy of lavishing public money on the poor.
Since defeating a Chavez ally to become governor of Miranda state in 2008, Capriles has set up more than 70 free health clinics in poor neighborhoods and provides subsidized food to poverty-stricken families. His government also offers slum dwellers micro credits to improve their homes.