Free Republic

If the Democratic Party wants to run on a full-blown socialist agenda, and it looks like they could especially in future election cycles, then Republicans have the perfect example to show voters concerning its total failure. Yes, we’re talking about Venezuela whose addiction to so-called 21stCentury Socialism, championed by the late Hugo Chavez, had led to one of the most stunning economic collapses in nearly a half-century. It’s downright depraved what has occurred. People are eating out of trashcans, hyperinflation has made mounds of money utter worthless, groceries are now a luxury due to available items and costs, and because of...

Citgo distributor says sales lapse By Rick Stouffer TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, October 31, 2007 Greg Marnell thinks everyone has a right to do business in the United States, even Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. While filing his gas tank at Tyke's Citgo in Monroeville, Marnell said he is aware of Chavez's ties to the gasoline company. "America's the melting pot, isn't it? Everybody has the right to come here and make money," said Marnell of Monroeville. But Chavez's increasing anti-U.S. antics may be hurting the oil-rich South American nation at the gasoline pump. So says gasoline distributor Don Bowers, who acknowledges motorists...

"...leftist rebels from Colombia to cross with "relative impunity" into Venezuela territory to rest and regroup."

Venezuela is willing to buy from Russia Tor-M1 air defense missiles, the local media reported. The deal budget is estimated at roughly $290 million. In Venezuela, Tor-M1 missiles could be used together with the radars of Chinese make and 24 combat aircraft acquired in Russia. Tor-M1s are the air defense missiles of fifth generation capable of opposing both the planes and the cruise missiles. It is yet the sole system in the world that will simultaneously spot and identify up to 48 targets. In one go, it can accompany and fire at two targets flying at the altitude of 20...

Since taking power two years ago, Argentina’s president, Néstor Kirchner, has fostered close political and economic ties with his counterpart in Venezuela, Hugo Chávez. At the same time, he has maintained cordial relations with Washington. But news that Venezuela wants to buy nuclear technology from Argentina could undermine this delicate balance. And even if the nuclear deal falls through, the links to Caracas are likely to grow tighter. On October 8th, the Buenos Aires daily “Clarín” published documents revealing details of an August meeting between representatives of Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), the state-owned oil company, and Argentina's Nuclear Energy Commission...