Even the headline is hilariously tragic: Venezuela to Eradicate Poverty.

Venezuela began an offensive against poverty, starting the “Negra Hipolita” Mission, which is financially supported by the high profits of oil, like other official social programs there.

The initiative made official on Saturday by President Hugo Chavez is part of a long-term plan to end the paradox of a nation that in spite of being the fifth world oil exporter, has 37 percent of its population living in poverty…

The purpose now, as the first stage of poverty eradication, is to declare the country free of abject poverty by July 5, 2011, within five years.

Is it in bad taste to say “Heh”?