I think Hugo's definitely overstepping his bounds here...  If he actually invades he's really asking for it.

Lets hope his days are numbered. He's using his oil money to pacify the poor. If the world economy slows, and it looks like it will, his revenue will drop and he will not be able to cover the checks he is writing. Then it could be Katie bar the door!

I understand. I really wish we could be less dependent on oil.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------What rules? Ecuador supports leftist terrorist who assassinate and kidnap Colombians, run drugs, and try to overthrow the democratic Columbian government. When Columbian forces came under fire from the Ecuadorian side of the border, they acted. According to the "rules" of some on the left, Columbia was wrong. Notice how the left always has "rules" that support the terrorist? In short, to many on left, the terrorist who assassinate ,kidnap, and run drugs are the good guys. A democratic gov protecting itself is bad.

The word from Chavez are geared towards his trying to drown out things that were discovered after the raid...like computers which detail a 10-year relationship he has had with FARC.  During that time there was at least one gift of $300 million that he passed along to the group (which was in the business of kidnapping, maiming, raping, torturing and killing folks to score points), as well as a detailed plan to smear President Uribe.

I see what you're saying about wanting Columbia to play by the rules, but when folks are crossing your border illegally, kidnapping your residents and either killing them or holding them for ransom, you don't really have the ability to sit on your hands and let that sort of stuff continue.  When you actively turn a blind eye to such things and fail to protect your own people from harm, you become far more nefarious than you are otherwise.

I wasn't aware of the extent to which torture is being used by Mexicans against American civilians, but I am well aware of how rampant the well-financed Mexican drug gangs run on both sides of the border.  On that point you are absolutely, one-hundred percent correct.  It's sickening.  (For heaven's sake, even Woodrow "I'd rather remain neutral in The Great War even while the Germans sink my ships" Wilson did more to combat such problems than more recent Administrations have.)