The Coup: Chávez Falls

Episode 7  |  How was Hugo Chávez removed from power in 2002? 

On April 11, 2002, more than half a million Venezuelans marched through Caracas toward Miraflores Palace. By nightfall, people were dead in the streets—and Chávez had fallen. 

But the president's dramatic fall didn't come out of nowhere. 

In this episode, we trace the months of escalating confrontation that pushed Venezuela to the brink. As Chávez moved to impose his will on the institutions he did not control, both he and his opponents grew more radical, more organized, and more desperate. 

The pressure was building—and in April 2002... Venezuela exploded.