This could be a culmination of several factors, but it wouldn't surprise me that some in the government are disagreeing with the now more radical way that Hugo is acting...even for him. I think there must be a few in his cabinet that disagree with him, see what is happening in the country, tried to get Hugo to temper his actions, and are leaving now either because they are being forced out, or are jumping ship so that they have some options if Chavez is ousted.

Of course the corruption thing may be involved, but that's par for the course down there. No rumours around them that I can remember. Maybe Hugo is running scared, and getting people out of the way that he see's as a threat. Bankers have to see what his policies are doing......I would think bankers, by nature, are capitalists. or scoundrels, (probably both, and that goes for everywhere). There must be many in Banking in Venezuela that are caught between A rock and a hard place. Support Chavez, but KNOW being savy in bussiness is absolutely nescessary for a country to survive.

Pen