A dent in President Hugo Chávez’s popularity was always predictable after the closure of terrestial broadcasting at RCTV, Venezuela’s most widely watched television channel. And a recent survey from the local polling firm Hinterlaces suggests that is exactly what has happened, with 83 per cent of respondents rejecting the decision and 54 per cent having a negative opinion of Mr Chávez as a result.

The survey also showed strong public support for students who have been demonstrating peacefully against Mr Chavez’s actions. And although international repercussions from the affair have been limited so far - in part because of the timid response from Latin American governments - that part of the story might not yet be over either.