BBC: Private investors and the political opposition hate it, President Hugo Chavez's supporters love it. A whirlwind of nationalisations and threats to private companies is changing Venezuela's economic climate and threatens to widen a tense social divide.
Mr Chavez is stepping up his campaign to turn Venezuela into a socialist state.
He is taking more control of the country's assets and warning companies that do not agree with his vision that he will take them over. Nationalisation sweeps Venezuela (more)
Mark Alexander
