War of Ideas, Money in South America

Venezuelan President and Pat Robertson's buddy Hugo Chavez is effectively positioning himself as the anti-Bush in South America, starting a mini Cold War on the continent. While their economic philosophies are polar opposites, both Bush and Chavez have been accused of dropping the ball in response to a natural disaster and benefiting from voting irregularities. Chavez has despotic tendencies, but he's won friends in the region with his willingness to open his wallet:

Mr. Chávez has used Venezuela’s oil riches to win friends and influence. He has bought more than $1.5 billion in Argentine bonds, flown poor slum residents to receive medical care abroad and proposed a new regional development bank to make low-interest loans.

In contrast, American assistance for the region has lagged far behind.

To Bush's credit, American aid to South America has increased significantly under his administration. However, a lot of that money is going to "Colombia for military and counterdrug assistance."

I don't really have an opinion on all of this. I just think it's an interesting story.