Why Bush hates Chavez

Chavez is thwarting our government's efforts to starve the Cuban people into submission.

As Raul Castro takes up the task of leading Cuba in place of his brother Fidel, there is, surprisingly, one less thing he may have to worry about: the state of Cuba's economy.

The credit goes, in large part, to the economic lifeline thrown to Cuba by the Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, who is using his country's tremendous oil reserves to prop up the Castro government and counter Bush administration policy in Latin America.

To the exasperation of American officials, long determined to force a change of government by choking off the Cuban economy with an embargo, Venezuela's patronage may take some pressure off Raul Castro at what is otherwise a time of great uncertainty.
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Wayne Smith, a former American diplomat in Havana, said that in recent years the Bush administration has shifted policy from openly working to undermine Fidel Castro's government to trying to ensure that he is not replaced by his brother Raul or another Communist figure.

"Getting in the way is Chavez and Venezuela, giving assistance to Cuba--and not only giving assistance but forming an alliance with Cuba," said Mr. Smith, who is a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy in Washington. "It just drives the Bush people crazy."

Don't worry, Mr. Smith: They're already crazy.