Chavez: his unpopularity spreads beyond Venezuela - slide show

People hold a Venezuelan flag during a protest against political prisoners and a new education law in Caracas, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009. Critics fear the new education law could lead to indoctrination in schools. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Demonstrators against Venezuelan president Chavez  took to the streets in Caracas to protest his nationalization policy, and of his stranglehold on the media in order to silence his opposition. The Venezuelan president remains popular among the lower classes and workers.

Infrastructure Minister Diosdado Cabello announced on Saturday the impending closure of 29 radio stations, - this is in addition to the 34 radio stations which ceased to broadcast in July on government orders.

Yesterday, thousands of people marched against Chavez across the South American continent accusing him of interfering in the affairs of other countries, as well as authoritarianism.  Once again, the internet facilitated the organization of these marches, through Twitter and Facebook, which included  several Latin American capitals as well as New York, Miami and Madrid.

In Honduras, where fear of Chavez influence prompted a coup against former President Zelaya, considered a Chavez ally, the march was led by interim President Micheletti who declared:

'Any politician who tries to stay in power by hitching up with a dictator like Hugo Chavez, he won't achieve it, We'll stop him.'

Chavez, who is currently in Iran, responded to Micheletti's statement by calling him a gorilla, and the marchers as being extreme right wingers.