The press is reporting that Paraguay’s ambassador to Venezuela was physically attacked in Caracas Friday. This comes on the heels of the kidnap/murder of Paraguay’s former first daughter by FARC guerrillas directing the operation by email from downtown Caracas.

Paraguay has done literally nothing to Venezuela to attract this kind of thuggery. It does however have a weak state, a leftist guerrilla insurgency, and a rightwing government. Clearly, Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez thinks he’s got a state he thinks he can kick around with impunity. It’s not going to go down well in the streets of Asuncion. Read it here.

UPDATE: Separately, Miguel reports that Chavez is making aggressive noises against Colombia. This is the second in a string of belligerant talks and actions against Venezuela’s neighbors. Chavez seems to have a need to find enemies, and Miguel has good insights on what he seems to be after. And it’s not something good. This is an especially fine essay. Read the whole thing here.

UPDATE: Alek Boyd has a translation of La Nacion‘s editorial here.

UPDATE: Miguel has a good analysis of the incident and a photo of the beaten-up ambassador here.