Even the most fervent apologist for Hugo Chávez would be hard-pressed to deny that the Venezuelan leader is sympathetic to the cause of the Farc, the ruthless, unpopular and increasingly isolated leftwing guerrilla group that has been battling to overthrow the Colombian government for more than four decades.
In January Mr Chávez's interior minister was even caught on camera telling a guerrilla unit "to maintain your strength. You can count on us". It is unclear whether the Farc will maintain its strength following the death of Manuel Marulanda its charismatic leader, reported at the weekend.
