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The joke's on President Chavez*** On Monday, Chávez, who counts Castro as his strongest ally and unabashedly touts Cuba's Communist system as a role model, fell victim to El Vacilón.

The irreverent DJs said they started calling Miraflores Palace, the Venezuelan White House, on Friday. About 8 a.m. Monday, using a Cuban-accented woman posing as a Havana operator, they got through to a presidential aide who identified himself as Lt. Arcia.

The secretary said Castro was on the line and wanted to speak to the Venezuelan president. Castro's taped voice can be heard in the background, leading the unwitting officer to believe the dictator was really on the line.

The officer offered to have Chávez call Castro back, but the secretary explained that the Cuban was in a secret location and could not be phoned. The officer gave the radio station the number of Chávez's private line.

''Hello Fidel!'' booms Chávez.

''Did you receive my letter?'' asks Castro.

''Of course I received it,'' replies Chavez. ``I spoke with Germán.''

''I'm all set to collaborate with you,'' Castro says.

As the nonsequiturs start, El Vacilón fakes trouble on the line to disguise the rejoinders that don't make sense.

''Yes, brother, how's it going?'' Chávez asks.

''I'll do what you're asking me to,'' Castro replies.

''I don't understand,'' a bewildered Chávez says.

''But I'm going to be harmed, I confess to you,'' Castro says.

Silence from Chávez. Castro goes on: ``Everything's set for Tuesday.''

''Everything's set for Tuesday,'' Chávez repeats, obviously befuddled. ``I don't understand.''

Santos then breaks in and announces they were calling from Miami. Complete silence from Chávez. Santos launches into a tirade: ''Terrorist! Animal! Murderer!'' plus a few choice four-letter nouns. ``You're finishing off the Venezuelan people!''

Santos then hangs up.***

Canada Tells Citizens to Leave Venezuela - [Full Text] OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada on Monday told its citizens in Venezuela to leave and said it was withdrawing some diplomats from the increasingly violent South American country. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is vowing to punish opposition strikers who have crippled the vital oil industry as part of their bid to force his resignation. Two people were killed over the weekend in street clashes in Caracas.

"Canadians should not travel to Venezuela. Canadians in Venezuela should leave the country," the Canadian foreign ministry said in a travel advisory that referred to the "highly volatile" security situation. "In light of the deteriorating political and security situation in Venezuela and accompanying severe shortages of goods and services, the Government of Canada has authorized the departure of all dependents of Canadian government personnel and nonessential Canadian staff members."

Chavez supporters and foes are pledging no letup in their conflict, which has plunged the world's fifth-largest oil exporter into political turmoil and economic chaos.[End]