‘I look around the dimly-lit bar and notice how the hard-drinking clientele watches suspicious newcomers like me, with my British-tainted accent and far too many questions. I ask another one: "Do the Hell's Angels come here, Brian?" Bingo.’

Chávez's blanket control over the media is highlighted by the armed attack on Globovisión

Alvaro Uribe has brought prosperity to Colombia, and is now up for "re-re-election". But the legacy of political chaos will continue to be felt, says Vanessa Neumann

‘In his decade as president, Chávez has parlayed socioeconomic resentment into near-invincibility. But Venezuela's decay, and the chinks in his armour, are there for all to see’

GETTY IMAGES