Hugo Chávez

"Chavez has gone too far," asserts a weary El Pais editorial, while Semana asks, "How crazy is he? "

Read more: Deja Vu in Venezuelan-Colombian Relations | In this article: Venezuela, El Pais, Alvaro Uribe, Caracas, Colombia, Council on Hemispheric Affairs, Bogota, and United States

"I defend him. I don't care what they say tomorrow in Europe," Mr. Chavez said.

Read more: Chávez Offers Public Defense for Carlos the Jackal | In this article: Carlos the Jackal, Osama bin Laden, Islam, Europe, Venezuela, Paris, Caracas, and France

"I can understand the concern and consternation of our friends in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, where today the current Government of Dominica has clearly embraced their expression of friendship and cooperation, but conversely, the Opposition of Dominica has indicated at every opportunity its intention to sever ties with the Government of President Hugo Chavez," Skerrit said. Further defending the country's relationship with Venezuela and the benefits it has provided, Skerrit told Dominicans there's a lot at stake with the upcoming elections. "The future of PetroCaribe is in limbo . . . the future of ALBA is in limbo . . . several hundred million dollars worth of capital projects are in limbo because of the mixed and confusing signals and messages sent by the opposition political parties of this country,"

Read more: In Dominica elections, party offers `the only vision' | In this article: Roosevelt Skerrit, Dominica, Dominica Labour Party, Caribbean, Venezuela, Petrocaribe, and The Miami Herald

"There's something in common between Ahmadinejad and Chavez, oil makes them think a bit complicated," he said, twirling his right hand near his head as if to suggest both leaders are crazy.

Read more: Israel's Peres: Chavez, Ahmadinejad will fall | In this article: Shimon Peres, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Venezuela, Israel, Argentina, Associated Press Writer, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Iran

"Without a doubt, Chavez wants to gain a foothold here," said Pedro-Pablo Kuczynski, who served as Peru's prime minister in 2005-06. "He needs to expand his network. The one Indian country [in South America] where he doesn't have control is Peru."

Read more: Peru, Chile presidents trade barbs in spy spat | In this article: Peru, Chile, Lima, Joan Lenard, Michelle Bachelet, Alan Garcia, and Allegation

"We thought he was a cannibal," said Mr Chavez of Amin, whose regime was notorious for torturing and killing suspected opponents in the 1970s. "I have doubts ... Maybe he was a great nationalist, a patriot."

Read more: Hugo Chavez defends the 'bad guys' of the world | In this article: Carlos the Jackal, Idi Amin, Robert Mugabe, Europe, Paris, Venezuela, and Uganda

"We thought he was a cannibal," Chavez said, referring to Amin, whose regime was notorious for torturing and killing suspected opponents in the 1970s. "I have doubts. ... I don't know, maybe he was a great nationalist, a patriot."

Read more: Chavez praises alleged terrorist Carlos the Jackal | In this article: Carlos the Jackal, Venezuela, Idi Amin, France Soir, Communist Party, Air France, Osama bin Laden, and Paris

"Talking about Chavez, among other things he said he will soon disappear - just like that, which has different connotations," Chavez said. "Imagine if one of us said something similar talking about him or them - any of them, the 'good guys.'"

Read more: Chavez praises alleged terrorist Carlos the Jackal | In this article: Carlos the Jackal, Venezuela, Idi Amin, France Soir, Communist Party, Air France, Osama bin Laden, and Paris