In this corner... Hugo Chavez!

Fresh on the heels of CAFTA, which the majority of Americans opposed and the GOP only managed to pass by holding open the vote while they dangled pork in front of reticent Republicans, we've got another scuffle with Venezualan President Hugo Chavez. From the BBC:

Caracas has withdrawn the diplomatic immunity of US anti-drugs officials working in Venezuela.

It follows a move by the US State Department to revoke the visas of six Venezuelan officials in Washington.

Both countries are locked in a row after President Hugo Chavez accused the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of spying on his government.

Washington denies the charge, accusing Caracas of failing to co-operate in the fight against drug-trafficking.

So. Chavez and bush have always had an antagonistic relationship. And Chavez is sitting on South America's largest oil reserves. And it's pretty clear that Bush likes his oil. I'm guessing it'll all add up to a further slide in how the "outside world" regards the US. I hadn't thought about it before, but maybe that was the reason the White House worked so hard on yet another unpopular policy. Oil. The ol' buy her a drink before you rape her routine. Harsh, I know, but the rapaciousness of this administration doesn't leave much room for charitable thought after five years.