March 17, 2007 [LINK / comment]

Venezuela vs. Chile

Chile has recalled its ambassador to Venezuela, Claudio Huepe, because of indiscreet remarks he made in a TV interview about a private conversation he had with President Michelle Bachelet last year. This incident has caused some diplomatic friction with Venezuela. As CNN.com reports:

According to transcripts of the interview, Huepe said Bachelet at first wanted to support Venezuela over Guatemala in the October election for a seat on the Security Council but later was influenced by a debate within the governing coalition.

Bachelet is a Socialist, but the Christian Democratic Party which belongs to her governing coalition was opposed to giving the seat to Venezuela. For background on the Security Council controversy, see Nov. 2, 2006.

Hugo Chavez vs. Barbara Walters

Hugo Chavez recently went face to face with one of the most powerful forces in the media universe: ABC's Barbara Walters! The interview was broadcast last night, and it was fairly pleasant, as Chavez strained to be on his best behavior for the cameras.

Venezuela vs. Netherlands?

Meanwhile, there are reports that Venezuela is making threatening noises about Caribbean islands controlled by the Netherlands. Donald Sensing wonders semi-seriously what would happen if Venezuela seized the Dutch islands, like Argentina seized the Falkland Islands in 1982.