"In Venezuela we are interested in development of nuclear energy, of course for peaceful purposes, for medical purposes, for purposes of electricity generation," Chavez said at a political rally.

"Brazil has various nuclear reactors, so does Argentina. We will have ours."

Chavez noted that Venezuela, which is a member of the oil-producing cartel OPEC, developed a nuclear reactor decades ago but abandoned it under pressure from the United States.

He said Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had offered help with a reactor, adding that "we already have a commission working on this issue."

I can't be the only one expecting an invasion of Venezuela, can I?

Via / Reuters

The above ad, released late last week by the McCain camp, is supposed to appeal to Latinos.

The McCain campaign said Hispanic voters are particularly open to the message because many of them are immigrants who came to the U.S. seeking to escape the sort of political tactics Mr. Chavez employs.

"They come to American for freedom, and yet Senator Obama seems overly willing to deal with a tin-pot dictator," McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said.

Barron has called Chavez:

a shining example of a humanitarian.

This of course has other NYC politicos not too pleased. Peter Vallone Jr.,told the Daily News,

"If he wants to invite despotic dictators, he should invite them to his own house. They don't belong at the home of democracy in New York City."

Former Mayor Ed Koch said:

Barron has a right to invite anybody he wants, and everybody else has a right to moon him.

Ed Koch mooning? There's an image I don't want.

Via / Gothamist

Hugo Chavez accused the U.S. diplomat of conspiring against his government and saying he would also withdraw his own envoy from Washington immediately.

Chavez had been threatening to kick out U.S. diplomats for some time. Seems the straw that broke Hugito's back was Bolivia's expulsion of the U.S. Ambassador, accusing him of aiding violent protests that as of last night have claimed eight lives.

Via / The Latin Americanist, personal email

Pitinyanqui is a Venezuelanism meant to qualify those who look up to the United States too much or imitates Americans. Chávez is making the term his own to call out sell-outs and what he considers "a new enemy for Venezuela": "vendepatria", "arrastrado", "oligarca" "lleno de amargura", sinvergüenza y anti-revolucionario.

"The pitiyanquis should give thanks to God because this revolution is peaceful. Because there are many of us and if it was violent there wouldn't be even one trace of pitiyanqui in this country," the Venezuelan leader recently said.

Pitiyanqui, a word that should be pronounced with disgust to be believable, has become a recurring theme in the pre-campaign for the regional elections in November, in which Chávez risks more than just a handful of states.

Via / AFP

Also present at the taping was Miss Universe, Venezolana Dayana Mendoza. She was fully clothed, unlike the recent fotos of her that have surfaced. My source said that Mendoza is tall, slim, and with booty to spare.

Makes sense that she was at this AIDS charity themed Top Chef challenge, as she is the latest madrina for the Latino Commission on AIDS.

By the way the president of Miss Universe, Paula M. Shugart, said that Mendoza is not in danger of losing her crown over the recently revealed nekkid pics.

Via / Hispanic Tips, Remolacha

The best part is that in this encounter, instead of a "Por qué no te callas?!" there was a "Por qué no vamos a la playa?" The president and the king joked around as Chavez proposed a jaunt to the beach.

Or maybe that's not the best part. The best part is that Spanish press is reporting that King Juan Carlos gave Chavez one of those famous "por qué no te callas?!" t-shirts!!!

Via / El Pais

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko, described by Chavez as a "brother", has long railed against the influence of the United States in world affairs. Western nations accuse him of flouting freedom of speech and assembly in 14 years in power.
"We are struggling against the same adversary -- U.S. imperialism, against countries which serve as lackeys of that imperialism," Chavez said after receiving the "Friendship of Nations" award from the Belarussian leader.
"We are winning, but a long battle still lies ahead. The hegemonist aims have collapsed. American imperialism will continue to fall."

Aww the two brothers share the same hate for the U.S. Empire! Que cute! I bet they also share being hated by the U.S.

Via / France 24

Somehow, porque no me das un abrazo isn't as catchy or reggaeton worthy.

Via / The Latin Americanist

Amnesty International's Americas Programme Deputy Director, Guadalupe Marengo, said:
'The 2007 Venezuelan law to protect women from violence is an example for the rest of the region but it will be useless for women unless it's fully implemented.
'Implementation of the law means more shelters, special tribunals and training for those who have to deal with these crimes.'

In addition to the reaction of the victim, one thing that isn't to be missed is when she fears for her life, yet laments more the nail she broke (at 1:53).

What do you think? Did they go too far? I mean she was so scared the car drove off alone!

Via / Venetubo

Chavez told his supporters not to raise their hopes that relations with the United States would improve if Obama is elected U.S. president, saying there was little difference between him and Republican candidate John McCain.

"The two candidates for the U.S. presidency attack us equally, they attack us defending the interests of the empire," Chavez said at a meeting of his socialist party.

"Let's not kid ourselves, it is the empire and the empire must fall. That's the only solution, that it comes to an end."

In Venezuela, potential beauty queens are trained in schools and given plastic surgery pretty much as soon as they come out of their mami's womb, which may explain why Dayana Mendoza, 22, from Venezuela won the crown.

Mendoza, upon winning played up her cred by revealing that she was a victim of a secuestro express a little over a year ago.

I still don't get the purpose of Miss Universe, beyond glorifying the idea of what valuable women are supposed to be like, but maybe that's because I would likely bust my ass on stage too.

contains images and sounds that, in common use, are crude, as well as those that refer to the consumption of alcohol, without showing its effects or attempting to help erradicate addictive conduct...as well as images and sounds which show dramatized violence.

Televen's fine comes not in the form of money to pay but air time. The network has to promise to broadcast 30 second cultural and educational spots for 30 consecutive days.

Via / El Universal

Image via Hypeline.com

"I want to reiterate our thanks to President Hugo Chavez for his recent comments that help Colombia win a definite peace. I believe they were positive comments," Uribe said at a community town hall meeting.
Uribe said he would meet soon with Chavez as the two governments work to repair ties...A Colombian government source said the meeting would likely take place in Venezuela before July 15 though details were still being hammered out.

Via / Reuters

Image Via / Venezuela Analysis