I saw a piece on The Daily Show (where everyone should turn for their unbiased news) that said Chavez, although wacky, was deliberately portrayed as some sabre-rattling nut job in the US press to increase interest in what would otherwise be just anothor oil-rich country without a controlling US interest.

Oh, right - the only oil-rich country without a controlling US interest.

Castro. Dead, not dead, what's the difference? As it seems there's no need for him to be seen in public any longer, this handing out of edicts 'according to Fidel' charade could go on for a long time.