More from the Washington Times article:
***.... Mr. Chavez has talked of establishing an Al Jazeera-style news network in Venezuela that would reach all of Latin American. Some Pentagon officials considers the Qatar-based Arab-language channel a propaganda arm of al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden.
But Mr. Chavez appeared on Al Jazeera in December and called the station "a symbol of courage, principles and dignity." He added, according to the British Broadcasting Corp.: "It always tells the truth." He expressed support for the Iraqi insurgents attacking American forces. ...***
Hugo is definitely arming himself. He recently ordered a military vessel and 20 patrol boats from Spain, through the good agencies of his bud, Zapatero.