"Insult is the last resort of a tired, big, heavy boxer"

Henrique Capriles smiles and disparages the obligatory query about insults. He would rather talk about anything else. "The best all of this is that he believes that he is going to win; then, the tsunami comes and runs straight into him. What do I wish him? Long life, because I would like him to witness to upcoming changes."

Can you imagine President Hugo Chávez the ceremonial sash?

I do not give a damn. I do not dream of it, but of the people's confidence with voting. And if I do not do the right thing, they know what they have to do: Fire me. Chávez does not understand it because he has intended to be above people.

The rude words and tone of insults measures how seriously he considers you. You have unleashed the devils; you have turned out to be a danger and what could be a positive fact puts you in the eye of the storm. You are a target.

Insults are surprising by no means. It is the way taken by the Head of State: demeaning, division. This is not my way. I feel neither alluded nor uncomfortable. I do not waste my energy in that, as there are more important things to deal with. Primaries were Venezuelans' victory. I led the process and we won. We, not the government, are the ones who could reach 10 million.

It looks easy; reality is otherwise.

On the eve of the election I kept on trying to persuade people to be not afraid and vote. I managed to persuade some. They promised to do it on October 7 (the day scheduled for the election for Venezuelan president). "We do not want to be listed again," they claimed. Now, you can see the Head of State engaged in politics and telling the same old story, instead of taking care of domestic issues.

Anyway, he has taken benefit from repeating his speech.

It used to be in the past.

Chávez accuses you of being tied to the bourgeoisie, the rich; of seeking to return the privileges to those who used to exploit the people.

I have two owners only: God and the people. And I am here because the people let me come. Unlike Chávez, I do not turn my personal life into a story intended to be the country's story. I am interested indeed in listening to the story of each Venezuelan. I have worked since I was 11 years old and I do not make a fuss of it.

Your family is of Jewish origin. Why are you a Catholic?

My parents got married under the (Catholic) church. My father is a Catholic. My granny Laura, born in Trujillo state, instilled it into him. I have always been a Catholic, yet my stay behind bars moved me closer to God.

Some, even Chávez, say that you are like Chávez.

We are quite different human beings. We may agree on social matters. However, as far as I am concerned, I do not say just words, but work. This is the government of promises. My administration (in Miranda state government) has been of results; of changing people's lives. I turn dreams into something tangible.

Your strategy is not firing back. However, the president has even called you "swine."

(Laugh) I take my shower.

He said something true though: you will have to face him at any time.

Certainly, we are going to clash. The government proposes a way: which is socialism. I bring forward progress.

Chávez claims that you talk about "progress" because you are afraid of the term "socialism."

This is not a socialist government. It uses the term "socialism" to pretend identification with the poor. However, it definitely behaves like fascist. It may be leftwing, but awkward leftwing, one of seizures, of an almighty State. I propose the way of progress where the State is a guide; a promoter, where private entrepreneurship has its room and it is set to contribute to progress. A modern country, with job creation. In the months to come, contrasts will be glaring. There will be confrontation of ideas, views. They look at the past; we look at the future.

How do these differences express?

This is a race where there is a tired runner and another one full of stamina. The tired runner weighs how to strike the finishing line: either putting the skids over his competitor or throwing anything for one to fall down. This is a vigorous runner, who traipses all over town making a proposal to take the country out from stagnation. There are 18 years of difference between the two of us. A whole generation. Therefore, time has come for him to give way. Insults and demeaning are business as usual in a weary, big, heavy boxer. He tries to give some punch to knock down a slimmer, more agile and energetic competitor. It is David versus Goliath.

Translated by Conchita Delgado