Jorge Rodríguez is the favorite son of the radicalized left in Venezuela. He sought power to avenge the murder of his father, says Frida Ghitis.

He operates alongside the president, dividing the opposition and confusing countries. He was born in El Valle, a popular neighborhood of Caracas, but ended up as a doctor, she says. He grew up in an ideological home where they read Marx and sang the songs of Silvio RodrÍguez or Pablo Milanés, says Ghitis, who calls him "Jorgito" The father, Jorge Antonio Rodguez, was a politician and guerrilla who in 1976 kidnapped William Niehous, vice president of the Owens-Illinois glass company and alleged CIA liaison. He later died from torture at the hands of the State, Ghitis says, and his son took his place in the political system. The father and son are now in charge of the National Assembly and Delcy is executive vice president.