O&L,

My point was that the announcement would likely not be done in this fashion. There is a process followed and the applicant works with the Govt. If the process breaks down and there is no solution to granting of a permit, everyone knows before the announcement. It does not appear this happened. Plus, if there is no way to grant a permit, the applicant is told up front and does not even enter into the process.

I could be very wrong (heck, I can't even make a remotely near Close prediction), but One of several stories is the truth.

One: This is condoned by Chavez and a way to not look like the bad guy. Not likely, since Chavez never shuns responsibility and would spin a permit denial favorable in some way. This guy is good at it. It is what he does.

Another is, the announcer of this news is on the take. If this is true he is in the hoosegow right now. Not sipping a 'tini on a plane. We will never hear from him again. Chavez's boys would make sure of it. this is a possibility.

Yet another is, this is a planted "news" story by someone completely unassociated with Ven Govt. Made up to seem legit for devious reasons. This is likely since details, such as the actual name of the person and details of the reasons why the denial was made are not included.

There are many other possibilities. It may take a while before one of these, or other, scenarios is revealed.