So, I've seen the "buy-cott" recommending buying gas from Citgo. I'm even trying to follow it for now, as I'd rather support Venezuela than the Middle East for now.

The strange thing for me is that people seem to be supporting Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, as a great humanitarian.

Most of what I know of President Chavez is from my friends in Venezuela: A few years ago, Venezuela went on strike against him for a few months, shutting down schools and a lot of industry, but he wouldn't leave, so they called it off. He has frozen Venezuelan credit cards so they won't work outside Venezuela, and his citizens have to get a special card, with a yearly limit, to buy anything from outside Venezuela. He has been accused of spending a lot of money on large projects, such as a dam, in other countries, while largely neglecting needs of his own country.

Are my friends totally off-base here? Is there something I'm missing? Thanks.