The only direct quote in any news release citing Hugo's speech is encompased in a pararaph which begins: Russia and Venezuela agreed to set up a joint state bank, and Chavez said Russia will help Venezuela "start to exploit one of the biggest gold mines in the world," the Las Cristinas mine.

All other details offered are assumed, because Hugo evidently said nothing else on the subject.

Is it possible that Russia will do no more than finance any monetary obligations that Vz might incur during the implementation of gold mining?

Am I grasping at straws?

Our share price should be suffering an Ortega moment but hasn't. Something doesn't make sense here.