Chavez Says He Will Jail U.S. Spies

AP on Yahoo ^ | 1/27/06 | Christopher Toothaker - ap

[Buffettfan]

That's a classic! hahahaha

[Pedro Gonzalez]

And to anybody else coming to Margarita Island...

I am a local, opposer of the Chavistas in power, and have been living in Margarita Island since 2002. First will tell you some practical things and in the middle, some of the political ongoing background.

- Coming to Margarita in Cruise Ships -

1) Cruise ships dock at El Guamache Port, a complete isolated point controlled by a private corporation and guarded by unintrusive National Guard officials.
2) There you will find an extense market attended by some artists, artisans and merchants, all representing fairly the island population.Even some fellow Americans that live and work here could be found there.
3) Those working at the artisans market, already paid a fee to work here, not matter if you get of the ship or not, if you buy or not.Few will be glad speaking about politics, they are tired of it unless some of the pro-government fanatics that surely have their quota there.
4) The whole island is considered a sort of oasis over actual political struggle in mainland, and typical Margaritenos still don't care much of it. This is even one of the two states who's elected governor is from the opposition, not a big deal for either side.
4) This is still not a typical dictatorship, so that fantastic image of guards with machine guns hidden to control the dissidents is far away from what you will see around.
5) Typical touch of ships is just a 5 to 12 hours stay, but there are some large and private tours organized to visit some selected spots of Margarita. There you can find more common people willing to talk a bit more about their everyday, but probably would like to give you a good impression of the isle as a touristic place.
6) Almost everybody in this island live for tourism, and national government lives (economically) still mostly from oil production, so anybody contributes more with them when filling a gas tank, of any brand, than purchasing handmade art or artisany from locals.

Regards.