Recent developments in Venezuela, which shocked the world twice last week, should be examined from all angles, the most important of which being the role played by the media and particularly television.

Since the beginning of his term of office, Chavez has had very limited relations with the U.S. and many times asked it not to interfere in Venezuela's internal affairs. The U.S. drastically downgraded relations with Venezuela after Chavez came to power. Venezuela is the world's fourth largest oil exporter and the third most important supplier of oil to the United States. Chavez, who was barred from the U.S. until he was elected president in 1998, has strongly resisted any increase in OPEC oil production. He plays a determining role in calculations on the steady flow of oil to the West, particularly to the U.S.

Bearing this in mind, it becomes crystal clear why the U.S. was the first country that tacitly recognized the coup regime, despite all the White House ballyhoo about human rights and democracy. Even more interesting is the fact that the head of Venezuela's biggest business federation was appointed president by the coup plotters. But within less than thirty hours, the trend of developments dramatically changed. Tens of thousands of people poured into the streets to show their solidarity and support for their democratically elected president. Much has been said about the role of the mass media in the new era of globalization and its power to influence public opinion. But the media can also be a sword of Damocles for the great powers which control most of the world's media.

Only one of the 10 TV channels in Venezuela was at the president's disposal, the one that was shut down after the coup. The other TV stations are controlled by big business interests opposed to Chavez. These channels thought they could placate and deceive the people by broadcasting false news reports. All the channels declared that Chavez had resigned. But the people were not deceived by the pro-coup media and fought for their freedom.

Venezuela's people power movement has shown that the days of dictatorship are over and that secret deals and unofficial meetings will no longer be tolerated by nations.