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October 13, 2008 8:59:16 AM CDT

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Chavez: US Confrontation 'Inevitable'

Posted Jun 23, 08 3:25 AM CDT in Glossies,  World 

(Newser) – With the US distracted by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has been busy amassing a Latin American power bloc to blunt Washington’s influence. But the firebrand leader, who calls President Bush “the devil” and the US “the empire,” is receiving level-headed advice from none other than Fidel Castro, writes Jon Lee Anderson in a New Yorker profile.

The Cuban revolutionary has “a moderating influence” on Chávez, who declared a US confrontation “inevitable," explained a Venezuelan official. “Chávez is more dangerous and unpredictable than Fidel Castro,” an analyst noted. “We are going to miss Castro.” But Chávez seemed to soften during talks with Gov. Bill Richardson: “His message to me was ‘Take me seriously, and treat me better.’”

Source New Yorker

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On Hugo Chavez, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson said, %u201CWe need to establish some lines of communication with him. We should keep a stable relationship with Venezuela; it%u2019s in our interest...   (AP Photo)
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The volume of Venezuela's oil revenues has meant an improvement in living standards for the country%u2019s poorest citizens, who are Chávez%u2019s strongest supporters.   (AP Photo/Leslie Mazoch)
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« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
"Porque no te callas?" Spainish King Juan Carlos told Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to shut up.   (julioza)

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George W. Bush  • United States  • oil  • Colombia  • Cuba  • Venezuela  • Fidel Castro  • Alvaro Uribe  • Hugo Chávez


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