I don't think you can say he was in favor of communism, he was ultimately in favor of Chavez. That may have something to do with the fact that it's called "chavismo" and not "communism".

He did seize private oil companies for the state. He had a lot of propaganda with his TV program and whatnot, and bullying and demonizing opponents. But he was popularly elected. I think even your short sentence above is an exaggeration. (This is not my first consideration of the man. I've listened to him in his original Spanish.)