My point is getting paid in advance. China has the cash. For Chavez to maintain his goals, he has to have cash up front to accomplish his goals.

Chavez is not unwillingly taking loans from China, he relishes the "partnership". He would not risk this budding strategic relationship by taking away his support for a project that he did not have to give in the first place. We may have to accept a twist this week but we will not be leaving empty handed imo.

From Latin American Herald Tribune Sept. 28th.

CARACAS – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced that he will order $1 billion invested in the construction of “at least 25,000 homes” in Caracas as part of his government’s efforts to move the city’s poorest residents out of the capital’s at-risk zones.

Chavez, at a press conference for foreign journalists, said that he will take the funds from the $20 billion loan extended by China in exchange for a guaranteed supply of Venezuelan oil...................

http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=368747&CategoryId=10717

From english.peopledaily.com.cn today Oct. 24th

Chavez will sign an agreement with a Portuguese construction company to build 2,500 prefabricated houses in Venezuela, which will cost 950 million U.S. dollars.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/7175330.html