DAMASCUS, Syria — Thousands of Syrians lined the streets of the capital Wednesday waving banners and flags to welcome Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who pledged to stand by Syria in opposition to American "imperialist aggression" in the Middle East.
Syrian President Bashar Assad hosted Chavez at the People's Palace, where the two leaders strolled down a red carpet alongside a 21-gun salute while a marching band played the Syrian and Venezuelan national anthems.
CountryWatch: Venezuela
"We have the same political vision and we will resist together the American imperialist aggression," Chavez told reporters upon his arrival at the Damascus airport late Tuesday. He said the two countries will sign a document opposing U.S. "aggression" in the Middle East.
Assad greeted Chavez at the airport and thanked him for his support for Middle Eastern nations, saying the Venezuelan president has made "great stands" in support of Arab causes.
"We appreciate your sincere feelings toward the peoples who have their rights and are under occupation, as well as your sincere humanitarian and moral sentiments," Assad was quoted as saying through an interpreter.
Chavez has built close ties with Iran, Syria and other Mideast countries while his relations have grown tense with the U.S. and Israel.
Earlier this month, Chavez compared Israel's attacks on Hezbollah militants in Lebanon to the Holocaust and withdrew Venezuela's ambassador to the Jewish state. Israel responded by recalling its ambassador to Venezuela, criticizing what it called Chavez's "wild slurs."
Last month, Chavez visited Iran and received the country's highest state medal for supporting Tehran in its nuclear standoff with the international community. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called the South American leader "a brother and trench mate."
"This world is a blank price tag, and whatever value you put on it, is what its worth to you. I have made this world priceless and worthless, so therefore I have placed my value in the afterlife."
The Millions ofVenezuelan adults who are illiterate.
Amending the constitution so that he can run again for president in 2012.
Trying to cover up the election he fixed.
Trying to stop the endless reports of police brutality and human rights violations.
Supporting Fidel Castro's communist grip on the Cuban people.
Apparently, his attention isn't with his people, but rather defending Middle Eastern interests half-way across the world, he's a nutjob if you ask me.
The only time Middle Eastern interests should concern a nation is when oil in involved, and Venezuela has lots of that - so he's debatable an idiot, with a stamp to boot!
My 2 Cents.
"This world is a blank price tag, and whatever value you put on it, is what its worth to you. I have made this world priceless and worthless, so therefore I have placed my value in the afterlife."
It is about the same in level of constructiveness.
Agree to Disagree and enjoy the show.
"This world is a blank price tag, and whatever value you put on it, is what its worth to you. I have made this world priceless and worthless, so therefore I have placed my value in the afterlife."
i definitely agree with chavez about american foreign policy in latin america... but i think he is a very bad man, like pinoche or like the PRI in Mexico... i wish south america could escape this cycle of dictatorships...
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will seek a constitutional amendment to extend his presidency until 2031
Media Release
Mar. 7, 2006
According to media reports, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez will seek a constitutional amendment to extend his presidency until 2031 should opposition parties boycott the Dec. 3 presidential election. Chavez said in his weekly radio and television address March 5 that the United States was orchestrating the potential opposition boycott in an effort to undermine his presidency. The Dec. 3 election is the last one in which Chavez can legally participate under current laws.
Is that close enough to 'president for life' ? The guy is a dictator in training and YOU might want to put the pipe down, genius.
CARACAS, Venezuela, May 7--President Hugo Chavez said that Venezuelan voters should have the chance to decide whether he should govern the country for the next 25 years, AP said.
Speaking at a stadium packed with supporters in central Lara state, Chavez said he would hold a referendum to put the question of his remaining in office to Venezuelans if the opposition pulls out of upcoming presidential elections.
“I am going to ask you, all the people, if you agree with Chavez being president until 2031,“ he said.
It was not clear if Chavez was talking about holding a legally binding vote to eliminate term limits or proposing a plebiscite.
Chavez said Friday that he said he might seek “indefinite“ reelection through a referendum if the opposition boycotts the presidential vote.
“I would call a national referendum to have the people decide if I can continue here indefinitely or if I have to go after six years,“ he said.
Opposition leaders accuse Chavez, a former paratroop commander first elected in 1998, of becoming increasingly authoritarian and opening dangerous divisions along class lines in Venezuela--the world’s fifth largest oil exporter.
The Venezuelan Constitution allows a president to be reelected only once in immediate succession. Chavez is eligible for reelection to another six-year term in December, but if he wins he would not be able to run again in 2012.
Polls indicate Chavez is likely to win the Dec. 3 election, and international observers have signed off on recent votes as fair.
Four government opponents have announced plans to run against Chavez, although not all have agreed to participate in primaries to choose a single opposition candidate.
Here's some quotes from his buddies the Iranians, another bunch of buffoons.
i definitely agree with chavez about american foreign policy in latin america... but i think he is a very bad man, like pinoche or like the PRI in Mexico... i wish south america could escape this cycle of dictatorships...
Well said. He's on to imperialist plans in Latin America, but its best he also focuses on domestic issues and not foreign.
"This world is a blank price tag, and whatever value you put on it, is what its worth to you. I have made this world priceless and worthless, so therefore I have placed my value in the afterlife."
Chavez is better than Bush or Blair, he never invades iraq or afghanistan. Also he never murdered thousands of innocent people, he is better than than Bush.
Well said. He's on to imperialist plans in Latin America, but its best he also focuses on domestic issues and not foreign.
i do not think that america is intentially like this to the third world... i kind of have the ability to see and experience this on both sides... americans do not understand that getting everything they want for the lowest prices can only happen at the expense of people in the third world... the government has done very bad things though... like installing dictatorships and funding brutal drug lords... it has held latin america back for a very long time...
chavez is a very bad man... he reminds me of some of the PRI officers who were very good at smoothing over the bad things they did by talking about injustice and imperialism... i think he will accomplish a lot for venezuela but im afraid at what cost...
Chavez is better than Bush or Blair, he never invades iraq or afghanistan. Also he never murdered thousands of innocent people, he is better than than Bush.
Agreed. It's a little surprising that he is getting himself involved in a fiasco as big as this, but everyone has their own agendas and he obviously has something planned for him and his country.
"It will be said to the pious believers in Islamic Monotheism: 'Oh you, the one in complete rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord well rested and well pleased!
Chavez is better than Bush or Blair, he never invades iraq or afghanistan. Also he never murdered thousands of innocent people, he is better than than Bush.
That's because he has little time, as he's far to busy killing his own people!!
Ėk Gusā Alhu Mėrā
The One Lord, the Lord of the World, is my God Allah.
Dhan Guru Arjan Dev Mahraaj Ji!
Kal Meh Bėḏ Atharbaṇ Hū Nā Kẖuḏā Alhu Bẖa.
In the Dark Age of Kali Yuga, the Atharva Veda became prominent; Allah became the Name of God.
Yeah, but Fidel is president for life, more or less.
Don't worry, Hugo will finagle a way to make himself 'Il Duce' or something stupid like that. And then South America can replace this so-called 'American imperialism' with some old fashioned totalitarianism. And much like 'Il Duce', Hugo is an idiot. Time will tell.
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Chavez vows to Support Syria (AGAINST U.S.)
do you want to here the comeback line... lol. 
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