Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Yahoo! Canada News Photos

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a news conference at ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:11:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a news conference at Miraflores Palace in Caracas January 26, 2010. Chavez on Tuesday named Agriculture Minister Elias Jaua as the country's new vice president, following the resignation of Ramon Carrizalez. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS) QUALITY FROM SOURCE. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez take part in a ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:22:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez take part in a demonstration in support of the RCTV broadcasting station, in Caracas January 26, 2010. Venezuelan cable providers, responding to government orders, stopped showing a station on Sunday critical of President Hugo Chavez that the left-wing leader pushed off free-access television in 2007. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: MEDIA POLITICS CIVIL UNREST IMAGES OF THE DAY)

An opponent of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez attends a demonstration ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:08:00 GMT

(Reuters) - An opponent of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez attends a demonstration in support of the RCTV broadcasting station in Caracas January 26, 2010. Venezuelan cable providers, responding to government orders, stopped showing a station on Sunday critical of President Hugo Chavez that the left-wing leader pushed off free-access television in 2007. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS MEDIA CIVIL UNREST)

A woman argues against anti riot police officers during a protest ...

(The Canadian Press) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:02:00 GMT

(The Canadian Press) - A woman argues against anti riot police officers during a protest in Caracas, Monday, Jan. 25, 2010. Police fired tear gas and plastic bullets to disperse university students protesting after President Hugo Chavez's government forced a critical TV channel off cable television. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Leonardo Ramirez)

An opponent of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez confronts a ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:17:00 GMT

(Reuters) - An opponent of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez confronts a riot police during a demonstration in support of RCTV broadcasting station in Caracas January 25, 2010. Venezuelan cable providers, responding to government orders, stopped showing a station on Sunday critical of President Hugo Chavez that the left-wing leader pushed off free-access television in 2007. REUTERS/Edwin Montilva (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, top center, gestures to supporters ...

(The Canadian Press) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 22:34:00 GMT

(The Canadian Press) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, top center, gestures to supporters during a rally marking the 52nd anniversary of democracy in Caracas, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010. Venezuelans commemorated the 52nd anniversary of an uprising that toppled the country's last dictator arguing whether their democracy is slipping away or growing stronger under Chavez. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Fernando Llano)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks during his weekly broadcast ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:00:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks during his weekly broadcast 'Alo Presidente' in Caracas January 24, 2010. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez addresses supporters on January ...

(AFP) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 12:11:00 GMT

(AFP) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez addresses supporters on January 8. An opposition TV station in Venezuela along with five others were taken off the air for violating rules issued by Chavez's government. Photo:Ho/AFP

Backers of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez rally to commemorate ...

(AFP) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:17:00 GMT

(AFP) - Backers of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez rally to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the overthrowing of dictator general Marcos Perez Jimenez in Caracas. Thousands of protesting Venezuelans swamped the capital Saturday, some supporting Chavez as a revolutionary hero as others railed against his 'dictatorship,' signaling a heated political climate ahead of the 2010 elections. Photo:Miguel Gutierrez/AFP

Opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez rally to commemorate ...

(AFP) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:17:00 GMT

(AFP) - Opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez rally to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the end of the dictatorship (1948-1958) of Marcos Perez Jimenez in Caracas. Thousands of protesting Venezuelans swamped the capital Saturday, some supporting Chavez as a revolutionary hero as others railed against his 'dictatorship,' signaling a heated political climate ahead of the 2010 elections. Photo:Juan Camacho/AFP

This photo released by the Venezuelan Presidency shows President ...

(AFP) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:17:00 GMT

(AFP) - This photo released by the Venezuelan Presidency shows President Hugo Chavez as he addresses a rally to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the end of the dictatorship (1948-1958) of Marcos Perez Jimenez in Caracas. 'I demand absolute loyalty to my leadership... anything else is betrayal,' said the firebrand, leftist president. Photo:Leila Saab/AFP

Opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez rally to commemorate ...

(AFP) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:17:00 GMT

(AFP) - Opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez rally to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the overthrowing of dictator general Marcos Perez Jimenez in Caracas. Thousands of Venezuelans took to Caracas' streets Saturday, some supporting Chavez as a revolutionary hero as others railed against his 'dictatorship,' signaling a heated political climate ahead of this year's legislative elections. Photo:Juan Camacho/AFP

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (C) waves to supporters as ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:45:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (C) waves to supporters as he arrives at a rally in Caracas January 23, 2010. Thousands of Venezuelans marched for and against President Hugo Chavez Saturday amid political and economic tensions fuelled by a currency devaluation and shortages of water and power. REUTERS/Edwin Montilva (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks to his supporters during ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:44:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks to his supporters during a rally in Caracas January 23, 2010. Thousands of Venezuelans marched for and against President Hugo Chavez Saturday amid political and economic tensions fuelled by a currency devaluation and shortages of water and power. REUTERS/Edwin Montilva (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS)

An opponent of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez holds a placard ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:31:00 GMT

(Reuters) - An opponent of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez holds a placard that reads 'He cut off your electricity, you give him the electricity bill and cut him off' during a rally in Caracas January 23, 2010. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and his daugther Maria Gabriela ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:38:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and his daugther Maria Gabriela arrive at the Bolivian presidential palace in La Paz, January 22, 2010. REUTERS/Daniel Caballero/Bolivian Presidency/Handout (BOLIVIA - Tags: POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez arrives at the Congress to ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:02:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez arrives at the Congress to attend Bolivia's President Evo Morales' swearing-in ceremony in La Paz, January 22, 2010. Morales formally began his second term as president on Friday. REUTERS/Mariana Bazo (BOLIVIA - Tags: POLITICS)

Supporters of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez talk to a cameraman ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:54:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Supporters of Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez talk to a cameraman outside a branch of Exito supermarket in Caracas January 19 2010. Venezuela on Tuesday occupied supermarkets owned by France's Casino, the latest move in a drive toward socialism by Chavez, who accused the company of raising prices after a currency devaluation. The signs read 'Workers with the revolution' and 'Expropriation now.' REUTERS/Stringer (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (in green) gestures while ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:38:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (in green) gestures while standing amongst people in the neighborhood Ciudad Mariche in Caracas January 17, 2010. Venezuela's socialist President Chavez on Sunday nationalized a chain of supermarkets controlled by France's Casino, on charges of price gauging after the government devalued the bolivar currency. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez addresses lawmakers during ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 22:34:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez addresses lawmakers during his annual report to the National Assembly in Caracas January 15, 2010. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez greets supporters at the National ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:24:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez greets supporters at the National Assembly in Venezuela January 15, 2009. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout (POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez addresses lawmakers during ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 03:15:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez addresses lawmakers during his annual report to the National Assembly in Caracas January 15, 2010. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks during the inauguration ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:10:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks during the inauguration ceremony of Line 3 of the metro in Caracas January 9, 2010. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez drives a tractor during his ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:50:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez drives a tractor during his weekly broadcast 'Alo Presidente' in the central state of Cojedes, 248 miles (400 km) south of Caracas January 10, 2010. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (C) drives a train on a new ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:24:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (C) drives a train on a new line in Caracas January 9, 2010. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: TRANSPORT POLITICS)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks during the inauguration ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:17:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks during the inauguration ceremony of Line 3 of the metro in Caracas January 9, 2010. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS TRANSPORT)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez attends the inauguration ceremony ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:13:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez attends the inauguration ceremony of Line 3 of the metro in Caracas January 9, 2010. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS TRANSPORT)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (C) drives a train on the new ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:10:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (C) drives a train on the new line 3 of the metro in Caracas January 9, 2010. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins(VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS TRANSPORT)

In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's ...

(The Canadian Press) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:29:00 GMT

(The Canadian Press) - In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez inspects troops at Mara Fort near Maracaibo, Venezuela, Monday, Dec. 28, 2009. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Miraflores Press Office, Juan Carlos Solorzano)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks during his year-end ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:12:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks during his year-end message at Miraflores Palace in Caracas December 30, 2009. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (R) attends a military parade ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:49:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (R) attends a military parade in Maracaibo December 28, 2009. President Chavez said in a New Year's message the 'illusion' around U.S. President Barack Obama was over and rich nations had left the world on the verge of ecological disaster. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS IMAGES OF THE DAY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez makes a speech during a military ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:31:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez makes a speech during a military parade in Maracaibo December 28, 2009. President Chavez said in a New Year's message the 'illusion' around U.S. President Barack Obama was over and rich nations had left the world on the verge of ecological disaster. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks during a credits ceremony ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:33:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks during a credits ceremony of new state-run bank Banco Bicentenario in Caracas December 21, 2009. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

Former Venezuelan army paratrooper Hugo Chavez (L), is sworn ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:48:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Former Venezuelan army paratrooper Hugo Chavez (L), is sworn in by President of Congress Luis Davila (R), as outgoing President Rafael Caldera observes, in this February 2, 1999 file photo. Caldera, who served twice as Venezuela's president and released current leader Hugo Chavez from jail after his failed coup attempt in the 1990s, died at age 93 on December 24, 2009, his family and state media said. Caldera, a lawyer and veteran politician who ruled South America's top oil exporter between 1969-1974 and 1994-1999, suffered from Parkinson's disease. He died in Caracas. REUTERS/Stringer/Files (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS OBITUARY IMAGES OF THE DAY) QUALITY FROM SOURCE

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez greets a customer of the new ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:44:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez greets a customer of the new state-run bank Banco Bicentenario during a credits ceremony in Caracas December 21, 2009. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (C) speaks during a credits ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:43:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (C) speaks during a credits ceremony of new state-run bank Banco Bicentenario in Caracas December 21, 2009. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS MEDIA)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (C) attends a credits ceremony ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:42:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (C) attends a credits ceremony of the new state-run bank Banco Bicentenario in Caracas December 21, 2009. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez shows a newspaper during a ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:31:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez shows a newspaper during a credits ceremony of new state-run bank Banco Bicentenario in Caracas December 21, 2009. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins (VENEZUELA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (R) and his Bolivian counterpart ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:47:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (R) and his Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales pose after participating at the U.N. Climate Conference in Copenhagen, December 17, 2009. About 120 U.N. world leaders were meeting on Friday to try to overcome barriers to a new deal to combat climate change. Picture taken on December 17, 2009. REUTERS/Daniel Caballero/Bolivian Presidency/Handout (DENMARK - Tags: ENVIRONMENT POLITICS)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez makes a speech during the closing ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:38:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez makes a speech during the closing session of the 5th Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) alliance summit in Havana December 14, 2009. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan (CUBA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS)

Cuba's President Raul Castro talks to his Venezuelan counterpart ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 02:07:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Cuba's President Raul Castro talks to his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez (L) during the closing session of the 5th Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) alliance summit in Havana December 14, 2009. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan (CUBA - Tags: POLITICS)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez interacts with singer Omara ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:40:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez interacts with singer Omara Portuondo as she performs during the closing session of the 5th Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) alliance summit in Havana December 14, 2009. Portuondo is the 79-year-old singer of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club group. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan (CUBASOCIETY - Tags: ENTERTAINMENT POLITICS IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks at the Bolivarian Alternative ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:22:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez speaks at the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) alliance summit in La Havana December 14, 2009. REUTERS/Miraflores Palace/Handout (CUBA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez walks with his Bolivian counterpart ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:14:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez walks with his Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales (L) during the 5th ALBA alliance summit in Havana December 13, 2009. Venezuela and Bolivia have joined Cuba in promoting leftist revolution as an alternative to U.S. free-market trade proposals and the two nations are at the heart of the ALBA alliance, which aims to promote cooperation among leftist regional governments. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan (CUBA - Tags: POLITICS)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez interacts with his Bolivian ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:41:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez interacts with his Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales (L) during the 5th ALBA alliance summit in Havana December 13, 2009. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan (CUBA - Tags: POLITICS)

Cuban President Raul Castro (R) talks to his Venezuelan counterpart ...

(AFP) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:16:00 GMT

(AFP) - Cuban President Raul Castro (R) talks to his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez before the familiy photo of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) Summit in Havana. Chavez rejected Sunday the top US diplomat's 'threats' on the consequences of Latin American ties with Iran, blasting Hillary Clinton's remarks as an 'imperial offensive.' Photo:Omar Torres/AFP

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (L) and his Cuban counterpart ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 03:46:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (L) and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro raise their arms in Havana December 12, 2009. Cuba and Venezuela signed cooperation deals worth nearly $3 billion on Saturday, underscoring Caracas' role as the communist-run island's closest political and commercial ally. REUTERS/HO-Miraflores Palace (CUBA - Tags: POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez listens to a speech by his ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 03:05:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez listens to a speech by his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro in Havana December 12, 2009. Cuba and Venezuela signed cooperation deals worth nearly $3 billion on Saturday, underscoring Caracas' role as the communist-run island's closest political and commercial ally. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan (CUBA - Tags: POLITICS)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez makes a speech in Havana December ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 03:00:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez makes a speech in Havana December 12, 2009. Cuba and Venezuela signed cooperation deals worth nearly $3 billion on Saturday, underscoring Caracas' role as the communist-run island's closest political and commercial ally. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan (CUBA - Tags: POLITICS IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez gestures in Havana December ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 02:44:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez gestures in Havana December 12, 2009. Cuba and Venezuela signed cooperation deals worth nearly $3 billion on Saturday, underscoring Caracas' role as the communist-run island's closest political and commercial ally. REUTERS/Desmond Boylan (CUBA - Tags: POLITICS)