Although the Venezuelans as a whole seem to agree that producing crude oil is a good thing for all the constituents involved, mining seems to be wrought with polarizing viewpoints. It could be that since the bulk of oil production is off shore there is a "it's not in my backyard" mentality. We may not be fully informed as to how all this is playing out in the Venezuelan mindset. Although Hugo has great power he is not all powerful like a dictator. He still has to balance out the different lobbying groups, political, academic, as well as labor groups as a means to appeal to his final decision. There are to many groups trying their best to bend Hugo's ear to get the result they want. This has lead to paralysis by analysis.