Fidel Castro’s Big Dumb Houseboy down in Caracas will listen to any sweet talk from his hairy Havana caudillo provided he says it nicely enough. That was why it was so easy to convince the hulky fool to turnnnnnn the checkbook, uhrrrr …. precious oil resources … over … to Castro’s own loving care. Fidel, you see, has convinced Chavez that he knows his wants and needs better than even Chavez himself. And can take care of Venezuela’s oil supply mucccccchhhhhh better than the Venezuelans can. It all makes perfect sense. Doesn’t it?

Miguel Octavio has the deadly lowdown on this spectacular swindle that is sure to entrench Castro in power for years to come, along with some gross pictures of the pair here.

UPDATE: Daniel Duquenal has more seething analysis (and a good map) on the expropriation of Venezuela’s oil here.