Many Venezuelans were astonished when earlier this month President Hugo Chávez -following nine years in office- posed a number of questions about his performance in power. He was addressing the Congress to report on his achievements in 2007, but he rather left a number of interrogations in the air -which many people believe should be answered by Chávez himself.

"Why is the milk missing? Why in nine years has the revolutionary government been unable to change the dreadful situation in prisons? Why does personal insecurity continue to be such a serious problem in the streets, towns, and slums? Why have we been incapable of solving the serious problems hitting people everywhere? Why is smuggling still so rampant and barefaced? What is the rationale behind impunity? Why are the mafias still embedded in state agencies? Why formalities at public institutions continue to be a nightmare? When are we going to put an end to permit-related blackmail? Why is it so expensive to produce goods? Why corruption has not been defeated? With these questions, Chávez summarized the things he has failed to do, even though he has been the only ruler who has ruled the country for almost 10 consecutive years with no interruptions.

Chávez went on eight days later, when he conceded that he "failed many subject matters." However, he tried to attenuate his remarks, and claimed that both the opposition and the media played a role in worsening the problems hitting Venezuelans. He also argued that the "US empire" was involved in a conspiracy to remove him from power. This has been the leitmotiv of his statements at least for the last seven years.