Venezuela's Hugo Chavez gave a surprise endorsement to President Barack Obama on Sunday, one we somehow doubt the U.S. Commander-in-Chief will be reciprocating.
Chavez says Obama would no doubt vote for him too, though.
With both leaders in close reelection battles, some of which are unrigged, Chavez said, "I hope this doesn't harm Obama, but if I was from the United States, I'd vote for Obama."
The head of state first reached out to Obama in 2009 (above).
More recently, though, he's insulted the leader of the free world publicly, a lot. Chavez, an actual socialist, is one of the world's most strident critics of Washington.
His 14 years in office have been marked by diplomatic spats and threats against the White House, including under Obama. He is running against challenger Henrique Capriles this fall.
He once called former U.S. President George W. Bush a "drunk" and the "devil."
After an initial overture to President Obama came to nothing, he said the new president had disappointed progressives the world over and was the "shame" of Africans.
Just the same, he thinks he'd have the Prez's vote next week.
"Obama is a good guy ... I think that [he] was from Barlovento or some Caracas neighborhood, he'd vote for Chavez," he told state TV, referring to a poor town with strong African ties.
Obama is seeking re-election in November against Republican candidate Mitt Romney and debates him for the first time next weekend, when Venezuela's election takes place.
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