One of the most difficult things for outsiders to understand about Venezuela is the passion with which both sides argue about the April 2002 political mess that shook Venezuela. Chavez calls it a coup attempt. Opponents say it was pre-planned violence. Tiny details are bickered over and held up as proof. To an outsider, it’s bewildering. Chavez stayed in power, after all, didn’t he? Why the debate?

Analyst James Sweeney points out some new and compelling facts about this incident. Chavez is desperate to convict his opponents as coupsters in court. But even though he controls the courts, he has thus far been unable to achieve this aim.

What that means is Chavez doesn’t have much of a case. And it’s likely he fears an international tribunal. Sweeney explains it all out in language a baby could understand right here.