Take note of the name- Hugo Chavez

Forget the Osama’s and the jihad terrorists and all those other enemies of the Western world, there is a new one, in the next few years he might find a place in every newspaper. He is the latest anti US renegade of our times.

He is the president of Venezuela, and more importantly best mates of Fidel Castro. His anti US stance seems to making a lot of headlines and with elections round the corner in at least 3 to 4 Latin American countries, the leftists seem to be frontrunners to win the elections in all 4 countries.

The US seems to be in a slightly sticky situation but I am sure they have something up their sleeve. Looks like world focus is going to move to Latin America very soon.One reason why the US is a bit annoyed if at all, is that Venezuela after the Middle East has the most number of oil resources and with the draining of oil from Iraq and Saudi Arabia and the hostile political climate there, a new guinea pig is needed.

But it is surely not Chavez, who the US calls a dictator, which in the true sense of the word, he isn't. He was democratically elected, though he is known as quite a megalomaniac. Secondly, he is quite a fearless guy, and he just bought a load of military helicopters from Russia to protect the country from a 'US invasion'.

These tactics are doing little to dispel fears in Washington that Venezuela is increasing its arms expenditure and is affecting the balance of power in Latin America, yet he doesn't seem to be doing it as loud-mouthedly and lavishly as Iran's president and thank god for that.

Lastly, whoever has the guts to propose to Condi Rice on a state visit, must be respected. Don't you think so?