http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1432911/posts
"Castro visits Chávez; away 1st time since '03"
Miami Herald ^ | June 29, 2005 | NANCY SAN MARTIN AND PHIL GUNSON nsanmartin@herald.com
Posted on 06/29/2005 3:22:20 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Cuban leader Fidel Castro made a surprise visit to Venezuela Tuesday for what he described on arrival as an ''historic encounter'' with his top ally, President Hugo Chávez, and Caribbean leaders in his fourth trip to Venezuela since 1999 and his first outside of Cuba since late 2003."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1432913/posts
"Venezuela seeks to build oil alliance"
SanLuisObisc ^ | Jun. 28, 2005 | IAN JAMES
Posted on 06/29/2005 3:45:47 AM PDT by Flavius
ARTICLE SNIPPET: "PUERTO LA CRUZ, Venezuela - With oil prices hitting record highs, Caribbean countries are looking with interest to a Venezuelan plan that promises to bring them oil sales on preferential terms.
Leaders from across the Caribbean will join Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Wednesday for talks on forming a new joint company, Petrocaribe, aimed at building a regional oil alliance and distributing fuel more cheaply.
Chavez says the initiative is about more than just bargain oil prices, and represents the "union of the Caribbean." Others call the "oil diplomacy," as Chavez seeks support for his political aims.
While many Caribbean islands stand to benefit economically, Venezuela will likely gain political capital by winning allies for its frequent disputes with the United States, said Bishnu Ragoonath, a political science professor at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad.
"Chavez is seeking regional support for his administration, and that is what he's getting in return for the cheaper fuel prices," Ragoonath said. "It's simply a matter of shoring up support."
Opponents of the Venezuelan president accuse him of pursuing his political aims by selling oil cheaply to his close ally Cuba and other Caribbean countries."