Team Bush has shot themselves in the foot regarding Venezuela's Oil

The GAO report, Issues Related to Potential Reductions in Venezuelan Oil Production, provides ample evidence that the Bush administration has effectively set themselves up for a showdown in South America. With oil production levels falling off some 16% since Bush took office (and, as some would say, approved an attempted coup) it would seem that the US's fifth largest oil supplier has taken a political stance and depressed output. But upon closer inspection the reasons the GAO gives for the reduced output are directly related to Bush strategy of withdrawing from international agreements. It's a failure of the current administration's foreign policy, not that of a "crazed dictator". (Note: Chavez was elected under no more a questionable situation than the US had during either the 2000 or 2004 presidential elections.)

After the Middle East is locked-up, look for a move towards South America. The war games are already being practiced.