MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bush and Chavez share lowest image in the region

Bush and Chavez share lowest image in the region

US and Venezuela presidents George W. Bush and Hugo Chavez, both on Latinamerican tours are the leaders with the lowest standing in the region according to a public opinion survey from Latinobarometro released at the end of 2006.

Top of the list figures Brazil's Lula da Silva with 5.8 points, followed by Michelle Bachelet from Chile, 5.5 and Colombia's Alvaro Uribe, 5.4. They are followed by Argentina's Nestor Kirchner, Bolivia's Evo Morales and Uruguay's Tabare Vazquez with 5 points each. Chavez and Bush rank seven and eight with 4.6 points each and bottom of the list is Fidel Castro from Cuba with 4.4 points. According to Daniel Zovatto from Latinobarómetro Bush's best image is in Central American countries and in Colombia, while he fares worst in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. Panama is where the US president is most loves, 6.1 and in the opposite end Argentina with 0.6. However Bush is the president with the greatest exposure since 79% of Latinamericans know who he is. He is followed by Chavez with 71%. According to Zovatto Chavez is known by 80% of the population in eight countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Panama, Peru, Dominican republic and Uruguay". As to positive, average and negative image, the performance of both leaders is also similar. Bush has a positive image of 30% and Chavez, 28%; in the average the Venezuelan leader is ahead with 34% and Bush 31%. Finally as to the negative factor both are tied at 39%. Hugo Chavez's best image can be found in Venezuela, Dominican Republic and Argentina and his lowest in Chile (8%); Costa Rica (11%) and Mexico (13%).