Not sure if any of this was reported earlier. Some facts around the nationalizations, debt, and VZ's difficulties around importing food and other basics.

"Calculations based on official figures suggest domestic and foreign debt repayments will total about $19.6 billion between the second half of this year and 2011, the Latin American Herald Tribune reported. Roughly $10 billion of that total will be due on foreign debt, with the remaining $9.6 billion destined for the domestic account. Total state debt is estimated at $50.3 billion.

What's the government figures don't include is the cost of compensating private companies that have been taken over or bought out under Chavez's nationalizations and expropriations.

Chavez's government earlier this year seized the assets of more than 70 foreign and domestic oil service companies after conflict erupted over nearly $14 billion in debt owed by PDVSA.

PDVSA demanded that service companies accept a 40% cut in their bills; when they refused, the Venezuelan government seized at least 12 drilling rigs, more than 30 oil terminals, and about 300 boats.

The demonstration was a pointed reminder of a 2007 incident, which is still playing out in the international courts. Two years ago, Venezuela forced six oil majors to hand over equity stakes of 60% or more to PDVSA. However, Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) and Conoco Phillips (NYSE: COP) opted to walk away from their contracts rather than accept a minority role.

This conflict is still being disputed, and last year Exxon won a court order to freeze $12 billion in assets from PDVSA as compensation for its lost projects. Additionally, Chavez's heavy-handed policy has cost the country untold billions worth of oil-related investments, as many oil majors now refuse to operate there"

"Nobody wants to sell to Venezuela if payment isn't made in advance," Jos� Rozo, president of Fedec�maras T�chira, the region's main business association, told the Latin American Herald Tribune

About 70% of trade activity in Venezuela depends on imports from Colombia, Rozo said, adding that the only country that had been willing to export on credit had been Colombia.

Without Colombia, Venezuela will have to settle for trade terms that heavily favor its partners"

Much more dissent will be apparent, and if the latest protests around the world are any indication, it seem the rest of the world is wanting Hugo gone, and wants to show the Venezuelans they care. No matter how many radio stations, TV stations, and newspapers he shuts down, the internet will be his demize. Lets hope soon.

Penderite