Speaking at talk given to diplomatic corps accredited in Venezuela at the Caracas Hilton, Rangel says he has no reason to interfere in Spain's internal affairs and doesn't know whether the opposition won or whether Aznar's mandate was revoked.

But Rangel insists on highlighting Aznar's turbulent relationship with Venezuela, pointing out the latter's role in the April 11, 2002 (11A) coup against President Hugo Chavez Frias and during the opposition national stoppage last year.

Foreign Minister Jesus Arnaldo Perez

Aznar's defeat, Rangel maintains, is the first defeat on an international level for US President George W. Bush's war-mongering policy. Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Jesus Arnaldo Perez says he hopes relations with Spain will improve under the new government.

Some political analysts suggest that it may be wishful thinking on Rangel's part, since the governing PSOE has strong links with Venezuela's Accion Democratica (AD) as fellow member of the Socialist International ... former PSOE leader, Felipe Gonzalez is a personal friend of former Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez. 

The ghost of Aznar may turn up again to haunt the Chavez Frias administration, if the former gets the appointment he has been hankering after as special adviser to the Organization of American States (OAS). He was offered the post some time back when it was known that he would not be running for another election. The USA supports Aznar's aspirations to enter the Central and Southern American scene.