Capriles Vs. Maduro: Capriles Criticizes Hugo Chávez's Successor For Comment About 'Hitler'

Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles criticized Hugo Chávez's successor after he recently compared aspects of Capriles' campaign to that of Nazi Germany.

"The heirs of Hitler are leading a campaign in Venezuela against the Cuban people," exclaimed Nicolás Maduro, Hugo Chavez's longtime deputy and hand-picked successor.

He was referring to criticism by Capriles' opposition that doctors from the communist island nation have been working in Venezuela for a long time. Capriles and Maduro are engaged in a hostile electoral campaign to find a new longer-term president of the Latin American country.

Capriles responded to the outrageous claim reminding the majority that he was indeed the descendant of Holocaust survivors.

"Does he know who Hitler was?" Maduro asked rhetorically. "Because he's saying that those who do not think like him are killers."

Unlike Capriles, who has no state-run media support and has to rely on personal or raised funds, Maduro reportedly has the full bankroll of the state at his disposal. Though Hugo Chávez was technically elected president, he gradually assumed control of many private interests throughout Venezuela, leaving Maduro with a wealth of assets for his needs.

The Chávez-Maduro regime has a history of outlandish claims and accusations against enemy and opposition leaders. Chávez reminded the world many times how proud he was to speak directly after George W. Bush at the United Nations so that he could retort that he could "smell the sulphur" from the "devil's" recent presence, referring to the former American president as Satan. Chávez also accused Washington of plotting against his life and later dispatched two American attaches from Caracas for alleged spying. The U.S. government responded in kind, expelling two Venezuelan diplomats from America.

Capriles is considered somewhat of a longshot against Maduro in the upcoming April 14 special election. The "Hitler" comment attracted little public criticism toward the man seen as the heir to one of Venezuela's most popular leaders. Maduro has repeatedly reminded the public of his ties to Hugo Chávez, holding campaign events in front of giant poster and photographs of the late leader. Capriles has referenced such unfair practices by the government in support of Maduro.

However, as FOX News reported, some Venezuelans have actually seemingly had Chávez overload. The New Herald reported that Maduro's popularity has fallen nine points since the beginning of March, when Hugo Chávez died. Though many seem to buy into Maduro's product because of the Chávez connection, the former bus driver is seen to have little of Chávez' charisma and public speaking skills.

"Maduro has no light of his own," said political analyst Rafael Revilla. Recent polling noted Capriles lagging behind Maduro by 20 percent in points.