Chávez and Castro Sign Trade Agreement

Venezuela’s socialist dictator Hugo Chávez signed a trade agreement with his Cuban counterpart yesterday, which he hopes can make the two nations "form a confederation of republics, two republics in one, two countries in one". From the Guardian:

The new trade deal is part of Mr Chávez’s push for a so-called Bolivarian trading zone, also comprising Bolivia and Nicaragua, and intended as an alternative to US free trade pacts.

Yesterday, the US state department spokesman, Tom Casey, said he was "delighted that Fidel Castro has had an opportunity to discuss things with his good friend President Chávez", adding: "It’s too bad that in almost half a century of misrule in Cuba, he’s never had the same conversation with his own people."

I think Mr Casey’s comment is spot on. Not that the nearly dead and hopelessly self-absorbed Fidel Castro will understand the sublime insult—but still.