Hugo Chávez Fires Back at Countries for Applauding President Lobo

Faced with mounting economic problems and growing public protests at home, President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela on Thursday found time to criticize the governments of the United States, Canada, Colombia, and Peru for "applauding" yesterday's inauguration of President Porfirio Lobo as Honduras' new president. Representatives of all four governments condemned before the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, DC Mr. Chávez's moves to take six Venezuelan cable television channels off the air last week for refusing to transmit government messages. Mr. Chávez, who has consistently supported the reinstatement of deposed president Manuel Zelaya since his overthrow on June 28, does not recognize the legitimacy of the Lobo administration. In his remarks today, he sent his greetings to the people of Honduras and assured Mr. Zelaya, "You know that here [in Venezuela] you have a friend." (photo of Hugo Chávez courtesy Internet)