Venezuela Says U.S. Envoy Provoked Row - Don't Make Fun of Hugo***At the meeting, Shapiro expressed concern about "deteriorating press freedoms" in Venezuela, citing unpunished attacks on dozens of journalists last year. Also during the meeting, a humorist disguised as a prominent anti-Chavez journalist held up a puppet of Chavez and ridiculed the president.
"What is the purpose of putting on this show? Offend the government? Offend the president? I think it's the Venezuelan people who were offended," Rangel said.
Rangel said Venezuela would consider the event an act of "personal irresponsibility" on Shapiro's part. But he urged the United States to explain Shapiro's behavior, saying Venezuela couldn't dismiss the possibility that Washington was deliberately trying to provoke Chavez's government.
In a statement released Thursday, the U.S. embassy said it "regretted that some people felt offended" by the event.
The humorist's presentation "seemed to us in bad taste because of its political content," the statement said. "The embassy does not know in advance nor does it censure what its guests are going to say, whether it's an invited speaker or humorist." ***
Castro and Chavez compare goodluck necklaces
Can oil and democracy mix?*** WASHINGTON -- Call it the curse of crude. The 11 countries that comprise the OPEC cartel amassed nearly $180 billion in oil revenues last year. None is a thriving democracy. Coincidence? Oil wealth hinders development of a tax-paying middle class, the very segment of society most likely to agitate for a voice in government, political economists say. Bountiful crude reserves also discourage the kind of diversification needed for a successful capitalistic economy.***