Chávez’s disdain for the US went hand in hand with his vexation about capitalism. So when the “Yankee empire” bailed out banks in 2008, the Venezuelan president was quick to call Bush a socialist.
“I nationalize strategic companies and get criticized, but when Bush does it, it's OK,” Chávez said in September 2008. “Bush is turning socialist. How are you, Comrade Bush?”