Leaked documents show how Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chávez, struck several wasteful deals including one that allowed Belarus to avoid paying for US$1.4 billion in oil it received from Venezuela.
On August 15, Venezuelans will decide whether to retain or recallPresident Hugo Chávez, who has impoverished his citizens andturned the state oil industry into a political tool. The UnitedStates should support international scrutiny of Venezuela'sreferendum, diversify its sources of petroleum, and engage LatinAmerica to help strengthen allies' nascent democratic institutionsand market economies.