The American government has shrugged off South American politics for nearly forty years. In the meantime, our neighbor to the south has grown into an unprecedented threat. Hugo Chávez, current president of Venezuela and a self-proclaimed enemy of the United States, commands what even Osama bin Laden only dreams of--but few Americans see him as a true danger. This book, by two political consultants who have lived ten years in Venezuela, argues that we should. Chávez's nation is the fourth largest supplier of oil to the United States. He has more modern weapons than anyone in Latin America. He has strategic alliances with Iran, North Korea, and other enemies of America, yet he has convinced many Americans that he is a friend. Chávez has the means, and the motivation, to harm the United States in a way that few other countries can.--From publisher description.

The origin of the threat -- "Por ahora" -- The democratic dictator -- Oil is his most potent weapon -- Bad neighbor -- The real axis of evil -- Chavez and the jihad -- Useful idiots -- Chavez as spin doctor -- The alliance of the Americas : a strategy to thwart the threat.