Hugo Chávez. The name alone is immediately recognizable. This sixty-two-year-old Venezuelan caused a sensation with his entry into the political world. His charisma is both fascinating and disarming, his humble upbringing and his ideals are revolutionary. Hugo Chávez is a true leader who, following in the footsteps of his lifelong rebel great-grandfather, aims to change the face and direction of the Venezuelan nation. His moves and decisions have drawn attention and criticism from around the world, from the man he attempted to kill to the Imperial nation he opposes. So how is it that a man capable of creating so much controversy can manage to captivate so many people and exert such control over the Venezuelan people? The answer to the question is simple: Hugo Chavez knows what it means to be a leader, and his actions make his knowledge evident. Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias was born on July 28, 1954 in the town of Sabaneta, Barinas, Venezuela. He was the second son of two poor teachers, Hugo de los Reyes Chavez and Elena Frias de Chavez, who lived in the rural area of ​​Sabaneta. Hugo and Elena Chavez always wanted their children to lead better lives than them, hoping that one day they could live in prosperous cities, escaping the poverty they found themselves in. As teachers, it was natural for them to view education as the best way to escape their current situation, young Hugo and his older brother Adan were urged to take advantage of the education offered to them, and it was a request that Hugo granted. However, despite their family's problems with the political system and the fact that Hugo's great-grandfather was a renowned rebel leader, Hugo's parents did not want him to be a politician...... middle of paper ...... has strong future prospects, as it seeks to unify Latin America and help Latin American countries survive independently, without continuous dependence on global superpowers. From Hugo Chavez, I learned the importance of socialized power, as well as the benefits that coercive power can have if used effectively, and I will use this knowledge to help me become a better leader at the future. Works consulted Gott, Richard. “In the shadow of the liberator.” New York: Verso, 2001. Chávez, Hugo (2005b), “Hugo Chavez Special: Chavez NYC Speech (Untitled Speech Delivered at the Latino Pastoral Action Center in the Bronx, New York),” Democracy Now! [January 26, 2006]. Chávez, Hugo (2005), "Transcript: Hugo Chávez Interview", ABC News/Nightline [January 21, 2006]. Gott, Richard (2005), "Hugo Chávez and the Bolivarian Revolution", New York: Verso Books, 2006.