Changes

Through Venezuala's state owned petroleum industry and membership in [[OPEC]], Chávez has now used powers granted to him by Parliament to increase oil prices, stimulating the economy and providing more money for the Bolivarianist projects. Countries such as the United States have criticised Chávez for the increase in cost for crude oil.  Chavez is at the forefront of wanting to set crude oil prices at $60 a barrel minimum, according to the ''Asia Times''<ref>[http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/HL07Dj01.html ''Bush, OPEC and Chavez of Arabia''], Pepe Escobar, Asia Times, 7 December 2006.</ref>

Through Venezuala's state owned petroleum industry and membership in [[OPEC]], Chávez has now used powers granted to him by Parliament to increase oil prices, stimulating the economy and providing more money for the Bolivarianist projects. Countries such as the United States have criticised Chávez for the increase in cost for crude oil.  Chavez is at the forefront of wanting to set crude oil prices at $60 a barrel minimum, according to the ''Asia Times''<ref>[http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/HL07Dj01.html ''Bush, OPEC and Chavez of Arabia''], Pepe Escobar, Asia Times, 7 December 2006.</ref>

   

   

The [[United States of America]] and [[Venezuela]]'s foreign relations at the best of times are unstable. This is understandable given that Chavez often criticizes the United States for its 'imperalism' on his radio segment 'Alo Presidente', and the United States's support of the 2002 coup in Venezuela, toppling Chávez and replacing him with a dictatoral government. (Which was then toppled shortly after by the Chávez supporters, also known as 'Chávistas'). However, Venezuela and the United States remain friendly trading partners when it comes to imports and exports.

The [[United States of America]] and [[Venezuela]]'s foreign relations are presently unstable. This is understandable given that Chavez often criticizes the United States for its 'imperalism' on his radio segment 'Alo Presidente', and the United States's support of the 2002 coup in Venezuela, toppling Chávez and replacing him with a dictatoral government. (Which was then toppled shortly after by the Chávez supporters, also known as 'Chávistas'). However, Venezuela and the United States remain friendly trading partners when it comes to imports and exports.

Hugo Chávez is a great friend of Cuban leader [[Fidel Castro]] and is said to have drawn his political style through influences such as [[Che Guevara]], [[Karl Marx]] and [[Simon Bolivar]]. Chavez has embraced a number of world leaders that have hostile relations with the United States, including [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]], the President of [[Iran]], who Chavez has referred to as "my brother".<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/07/31/en_pol_art_31A756133.shtml Chávez decorated in Iran; initials cooperation pacts]</ref> He is also considered to be an ally of leftist [[Ecuador|Ecuadorian]] president [[Rafael Correa]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6187364.stm]

Hugo Chávez is a great friend of Cuban leader [[Fidel Castro]] and is said to have drawn his political style through influences such as [[Che Guevara]], [[Karl Marx]] and [[Simon Bolivar]]. Chavez has embraced a number of world leaders that have hostile relations with the United States, including [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]], the President of [[Iran]], who Chavez has referred to as "my brother".<ref>[http://english.eluniversal.com/2006/07/31/en_pol_art_31A756133.shtml Chávez decorated in Iran; initials cooperation pacts]</ref> He is also considered to be an ally of leftist [[Ecuador|Ecuadorian]] president [[Rafael Correa]]. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6187364.stm]