dparge,

I spent a year in Korea followed by some time in Iraq for the invasion. The one thing that dictators must do is keep up a very effective PR campaign to keep the masses satisfied and/or hopeful. This, more than anything, is what keeps them in power. As a severe example, remember Baghdad Bob announcing to his country that US forces were being repelled, when in reality we had taken over the airport (which is miles away from the center of town)?

So with that context, I think what to us is hot air from Hugo is exclusively for the purpose of introducing the Chinese in grand fashion to the VZ public. It'll make the announcement more dramatic to the average Venezualan citizen, and continue to keep Hugo popular, not to mention the fact that he likes drama and the limelight anyway.

Again, just my thoughts.