The leftwing label for Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez does not make any sense, according to Brazilian ex President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, who also called him an authoritarian populist, daily newspaper O Estado de Sao Paolo reported Friday.
 
"Chávez is certainly a nationalist, and also a populist. And he has authoritarian trends," Cardoso said during a conference in Washington, Efe quoted.

Social-Democrat Cardoso, who ruled Brazil from 1994 to 2002, introduced Thursday in the United States an English version of his biographic work "The Accidental President of Brazil."

During the conference, the official dealt with leftwing trends among current leaders in the hemisphere.

In his opinion, Chávez' continued attacks on the United States and President George W. Bush are not ideologically significant and just show "bad manners and not much tact."
 
Despite the attacks, Cardoso reasoned, Chávez essentially serves US interests by keeping oil supply through Citgo, a subsidiary of state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela (Pdvsa) based in the United States.