Anyone who calls Hugo Chavez a communist is either propagandist or politically naive.
Chavez is neither a communist, nor is he a socialist.
He takes from the rich and give to the poor in order to buy their votes. If he could buy more votes by taking from the poor and give to the rich, he would do that instead.
Chavez is neither a communist, nor a socialist, but a Chavist (or Chavezist, if you prefer).
Chavez is crazy about having power, for two easily understood reasons.
1. Chavez loves to be the top dog, to be in power.
2. Chavez knows exactly what will happen to him, the day he looses his power - there will be a bill to pay.