(Monday, November 16th) The “level of confrontation” between Colombia’s president Alvaro Uribe and Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez helps their popularity in their respective countries and also consolidates their rule is the observation by Mexican writer Jorge Volpi.
Chavez popularity has recently been decreasing due to Venezuela’s economic problems, such as the electricity and water rationing, the high inflation rate and the high crime rate.
Volpi, also said that even though throughout the whole region the U.S military bases are seen as an “inconvenience”, Chavez needs to tone down his political rhetoric in order for the situation not to escalate.
Also he added that Venezuela would not like a confrontation with Colombia, who has a better army and better mobilization capabilities. Source
