IMHO, Chavez's downfall will be at the hands of the Russians or the Chinese. He messes with the U.S. and we do little. He messes with Canada and the Canadian's say "eh, why are you messing with us your friends, eh". Canadians try to negotiate but this is the way of the civilized world.

When they mess with the Russians or the Chinese the only likely response Chavez will hear is the "bang" of the pistol that takes him out.

I travel South America a lot and I have had some enlightening conversations with Chinese business owners (picture a gringo and a Chi-com talking in a bar in Spanish!). They are generous in their offers but aggressive in their expectations...and vicious in their retribution.

What Chavez fails to grasp is that the Russians and the Chinese also have expectations of profit as much as the US or Canada but the difference is while we negotiate in court, they negotiate with guns.