Chavez Starts New Trend by Pulling Plug on Agreement

Published May 28, 2008

If it's postmarked from Holland, Hugo Chavez is returning it to sender.

Stung by a series of billion-dollar lawsuits launched by foreign energy companies, the Venezuelan president has recently notified the Dutch government that he plans to terminate a long-standing economic treaty.

The treaty has become a diplomatic sore-spot between the two nations because it sets the bar incredibly...