The Independent labels Hugo Chavez a "dictator"

Charley Allan of the Hands Off Venezuela campaign wrote a letter to The Independent complaining about their article Garcia claims Peru win spells end of regional takeover by Chavez, which falsely portrays Hugo Chavez as a dictator. We republish the letter as it was published in the paper.

Sir: Your caption to the picture accompanying the report of Peru's presidential election result (6 June) describes the Venezuelan president as a dictator. President Chavez has won nine electoral processes in a row, including the recall referendum in 2004 in which he gathered almost 60 per cent of the vote. As the propaganda drive to re-demonise Chavez in the run-up to December's election gets into gear, you should be more thoughtful in how you portray this independent leader and true democrat. Charley Allan, London N6