In a continent where anti-Americanism remains both very popular and an effective way to consolidate national cohesion and political power, Chávez’s attacks found a ready audience. In addition, Uribe’s absence allowed Chávez to avoid responding to Colombia’s accusations that Venezuela and its ally Ecuador support the narco-Marxist FARC.
这就给了查韦斯机会孤立哥伦比亚并高唱反美论调。在这片反美情绪依然广泛，并能被用来有效地强化民族凝聚力和政治权力的大陆，查韦斯的攻击言论大有市场。另外，Uribe的缺席使得查韦斯避免了回应哥伦比亚关于委内瑞拉和其盟国厄瓜多尔支持毒品马克思主义的FARC的指控。