Yeah, the future implications means the U.S. won't get away with doing anything it wants. The future implications means that the power vacuum left by the Soviet Union has been reclaimed by a union between Russia, China, Venezuela, North Korea, Syria, and Iran.

Hugo needs to get friendly with Russia and others, especially if they are not 100% pro-American.
He also needs to arm himself with all the best weapons those countries have to offer.

The US have demonstrated time and again that if you are weak, and have oil, you just may get invaded, but if you can fight back and have big friends, you will be left alone.

Any sensible leader would do the same thing, anything less would be asking for trouble.

I think Hugo is doing the right thing under the circumstances

I admire the man, and I am not alone.

You might want to take back a little of that. Washington is against the Democracy in Venezuela. The Bush Kabol and his big corprate cronies keep screwing the pooch. Most of the American people would not have a problem with Chavez except the Faux News War Dum Beat goes on spilling foul airtime. From a report I read today, Chavez needs the US to refine it's oil "I personnaly find this hard to believe". (see footnote). Soldiers defending Venezuela are still using weapons from the 1940s. They have some modern arms and F16s to defend the country but what they have is breaking and needs servicing. The recent arms blockade has put more strain on the situation leave Pres. Chavez to seek munitions elsewhere. Russias got them so its deal time. Mean while what to do with the F16s, sell them to some other country. Not good as they could end up in Iran or other places. Washington is creating messes all over the world and the latest pole shows that 67-69% of US citizens disaggree with his policies. Look for changes this fall. It you don't see major changes in our house and senate (the regulating portion of our gvmt) then something is really wrong. Corporations and hard right factions are attempting to steer favor toward an elite capitolist class. The false ecomonomy we have is fueled by draining off the earnings of the middle class and serfdom of the poor. Chavez if all for equalization of pay and prosperity of his citizens. This is why he has been reelected back into power over the years. He is a little harder left that I like but I see his point in protecting his national resources (oil) and his people from subversion and plots against him by the rightwingers. Had Al Gore not been cheated out his presidency, you would have seen a whole different situation. Venezuelas oil companies and fields would still be privately held by businesses. Exxon reports higher proffits, hmmm!

*Oil from different parts of the world is composed of different compounds that change the way it is fractioned into grades of fuel. If you don't have the Cathlytic Crackers that can refine oil to higher grade fuels then you end up producing more heating fuels and oil than gasoline and jet fuel. From reports I've read, Venezuela needs the US to produce it's oil to raise the yeild of higher grade fuels.

currently VENEZUELA is not a "true" dominate power in the region,

but it is the world's 5th largest oil exporter

the high world oil prices have made them very rich

if they play their cards right they could very well become one in 10-20 years from now

Tragically for the US, it is not just Venezuela that is turning away from US to new allies. Bolivia, Peru, and Chile have all elected governments that are not on best terms with US. And Chavez and similar leftists are only gaining popularity there.

Chavez turned to Russia more out of necessity than anything. The two countires do not have historical ties or relations (when before had Venezuelan President visited Russia?). This is mostly a reply to US stopping supply of weapons to Venezuela. And Russia all too happy to assist Chavez especially if he is ready to pay. For now, Russia has no long term interests in Venezuela. Unlike Middle East and East Asia, Venezuela is far outside Russia's influence zone. I think they are cautious becoming too close of allies with Venezuela. Wait and see what happens in Latin America in the next decade. If anti-US politicians like Chavez gain more power, then Russia might just make them its top priority. But so far it is Chavez that is initiating these relations, not Russia.