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Venezuelan opposition quit poll***......The parties that are withdrawing are Accion Democratica, which was the dominant Venezuelan political party prior to Chavez's rise to power; Proyecto Venezuela, and the Social Christian Party.

"Very well, let them go to hell," said Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel. "They say this process isn't clean, but this is the cleanest in Venezuela's history."

The withdrawal shows the deepening polarization in Venezuela's political scene. Chavez has held power since 1999, survived a coup attempt in April 2002 and a referendum to remove him in August 2004.

Chavez is due to stand for re-election late next year, and at this point he is the clear favorite. He has launched a host of social programs, including cut-rate groceries, adult education and medical help for the poor.

But opponents claim he has also slowly restructured Venezuela's electoral, judicial and legislative institutions so he can bend them to his will. One such institution is the national election council known by its Spanish initials CNE, which is controlled by a pro-Chavez majority. Alleged irregularities uncovered last week in a test of CNE voting machines prompted the three parties to withdraw Tuesday.***

US military presence in Paraguay irks neighbors ***"This is all about trade," says Anderson Siglkicki, a restaurant manager in Foz de Iguaçu, Brazil, just across the Parana River from Paraguay. "Paraguay thinks MERCOSUR is unfair, so they want to make friends with the United States. Paraguay wants to join the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas."

But Milda Rivarola, a Paraguayan political analyst and historian, says officials will feel little domestic pressure to kick the US troops out of the country.

"Most Paraguayans are indifferent," she says. "Progressive sectors and leftist groups have protested, and the press made it an object of debate. But in the country, few people are going to complain, especially if they get free services and some money."***