Which is why socialists around the world mourned Chavez' election at the time, right? /s

Venezuela, like Cuba, North Korea, China and the USSR were feted by socialists the world over, right up until their failings (often in the form of millions of people starving to death) became visible to the world.

Then of course they ceased being real socialists.

It's seems like a permanent feature of any socialism-building effort: first, it "gives hope", then breaks economy, and inevitable proclamation "not real socialism" ends the cycle.