That being said, of course a state functioning in a capitalist world economy, no matter how "revolutionary" its leaders maybe still operates within a certain paradigm. Workers' getting too bold for liberal democracy will only mean that the time has become ripe for more fundamental structural changes, either that or there needs to be a retreat back towards more modest welfare capitalism. The battle within the PSUV is obviously over this.
I wouldn't want to see the "Cuban model" in Venezuela, but it would be nice to see some sort of market socialism based upon cooperatives for consumer goods, public control over the financial sector and investment, and democratic state control over some of the commanding heights.
It's Utopian, but no more Utopian than thinking that the Democrats are going to get EFCA passed this session...