The PM update of a Friday 13

Let's start with the new travel advisory from the US. Another embarrassing moment for Venezuela as US citizens are advised to stay clear.

Then we can go to the CNE to hear the Carter Center and the OAS express in very diplomatic term their concerns not to say their possible displeasure.

You can also read that while they were making their way to the CNE reunion, the OAS representative's car was attacked by the Lina Ron mob camping out in front of the CNE since Monday. Apparently he was confused with a leader of the opposition but since the chavista mobs are more of the shoot first and ask question later, his car was duly bombed with fireworks and had to be evacuated fast. Live on TV by the way. Probably on CNN by now. One can imagine the ambiance of the reunion in the CNE while pandemonium was going on outside, with the gusts wondering how they were going to leave unscathed. Sound proof rooms soon available inside the CNE?

The question of course is: is Chavez able to control his fringes or is he using them to stir trouble? You can guess my reply.


But Chavez's image received today yet another unexpected blow. Brazil's president yesterday not only trashed the latest Chavez gambit to be a Latin America Revolutionary leader by saying that Venezuela should stay out of the Bolivia Chile quarrel, but that the latest moves in Caracas were conducting to a possible civil war in Venezuela. Lula has been the leader most courted by Chavez. Did not work too well it seems.

It is Friday the 13th for Chavez, not only for the opposition.