The growing coziness between the leaders of Venezuela and Iran should send a troubling signal to all Venezuelans — especially the diminishing but still strong segment that clings to President Hugo Chavez.
Do they not understand the disadvantages of a leader who ties himself to a regime in Tehran that is incurring global wrath and sanctions [...]

Even in retirement, former Cuban President Fidel Castro apparently cannot stand for anyone else to hold the limelight. Thus, he has attempted to steal a bit of it from Colombian President Alvaro Uribe by barging into the discussion about the dramatic rescue of Ingrid Betancourt and 14 others last week from the clutches of the [...]

Two ballot-box disappointments had loomed in recent days: a vote in support of proposed constitutional changes in Venezuela and Russian parliamentary elections in favor of President Vladimir Putin. Fortunately, only one of them turned out badly – Moscow’s. Venezuelans won, for now.

Creeping authoritarianism in Venezuela may not be sparking the kind of global outcry that has accompanied President Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s naked grab for control in Pakistan, but it should.
Pro-democracy critics have a responsibility to discard double standards, raise their voices and join the Venezuelan opposition in protest. What is bad for Pakistan is bad for [...]

Fidel Castro will indeed live forever, as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has declared – in infamy, that is.
Chavez’s ridiculous tribute to the crusty caudillo, amid the latest rumors that Castro had passed away, was designed to perpetuate a shameful myth. There is nothing noteworthy or enduring about Castro or his overall record, except [...]