My original counterpoint was that even though he may have been a hero to some he was a dick to others:
HRW
The weakening of Venezuela’s democratic system of checks and balances under President Hugo Chávez has contributed to a precarious human rights situation. Without judicial checks on its actions, the government has systematically undermined the right to free expression, workers’ freedom of association, and the ability of human rights groups to protect rights.
Not sure why Lotus even bought up ideology other than to divert the conversation to a place he felt comfortable.