It may be business as usual in Venezuela

[Judi Lynn]

Sept. 28, 2006, 10:55PM
It may be business as usual in Venezuela
Many Houston businesses aren't worried by Chavez


By JENALIA MORENO
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Between politics and potential profits, Houston business executives seem to be choosing the latter.

Last week, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez compared President Bush to Satan, which rekindled concerns among those already nervous about doing business in the politically uncertain oil-rich nation.

Despite the concerns, some Houston companies still want to do business there, according to U.S. and Venezuelan business executives who attended a matchmaking event Thursday at the Greater Houston Partnership.

"There is a lot of hype and emphasis on what the president or the government has said, but in reality, the business is as good as it has ever been," said George Nassar, president of Houston-based South Am Corp., which has sold oil equipment to Venezuela since the company was formed in 1989.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/4223052.html

[rman]

1. How the heck is Venezuela "politically uncertain"?

Venezuela's supposed political uncertainty is asserted without anything to back it up, as though it is common knowledge.
In reality common knowledge wrt Venezuela is rather the opposite; given the overwhelming popular support for Chavez, Venezuela is far less politically uncertain than the US.

If there is any factor that could decrease political certainty in Venezuela, it is US support (if only financial) for opposition to Chavez.