I agree that there is no upside for Venezuela if they go thru with this. Bad for trade...bad for jobs and (arguably) bad for popularity and hence votes. I'm not sure what kind of an environmental voting base there is in Vz. My guess is JOBS are a more important issue in a populist state run by a populist leader than ENVIRONMENT in an economy where food is scarce and jobs are scarce (especially since all of the environmental issues have been addressed....in fact...one could also argue that the the permit will be a PLUS for the environment). Ortega may want to "save the forest"...but is it her decision? It is "her job" to say that for the record. Ultimately....does she have the political "juice"? My guess is that this decision is above her pay grade. I've always felt that Hugo must be aware that gold is a strategic asset....the ultimate enemy of the U.S. dollar and a way to consolidate power...fight rampant inflation and add value (ultimately) to his most precious resource...oil. Oil trading in depreciating dollars (though going up in price as a result) can not be good from Hugo's perspective. If I were King I would be looking at gold as a strategic asset. But, alas....I am just some A-hole typing a rant on a message board after losing his ass (not to mention most of his assets).