Before Thursday, Ramirez had not held energy talks in Washington since 2004. He said Venezuelan-U.S. relations had been hurt by the Bush administration, which he said had been "hostile" to his country.

I'm confused. Last I heard....Chavez was saying the U.S. was trying to assassinate him and was planning to attack Venezuela. Did Vz. & the U.S. kiss and make up? There's nothing like a consistent foreign policy and stable investment climate.