Lovestruck Chavez Succumbs to Hopenchange

Si se puede, bitches!

That didn't take long. Hugo Chavez, reduced to a blubbering schoolgirl, passing mash notes to The One after only three days.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Friday warmly greeted President Barack Obama only days after accusing him of "throwing stones" at Venezuela and suggesting he was much like ex-President George W. Bush.

The firebrand socialist, who has promised to end what he calls U.S. imperialism and called Bush "the devil," praised Obama's decision to close a prison in Guantanamo, Cuba that has drawn harsh international criticism.

"He is a man with good intentions; he has immediately eliminated Guantanamo prison, and that should be applauded," Chavez said, speaking to supporters in a televised speech.

"I am very happy and the world is happy that this young president has arrived ... (we) welcome the new government and we are filled with hope," he said.

His about-face from earlier comments appeared to have been influenced by Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Chavez's political mentor, who earlier this week wrote that Obama had honestly expressed his ideas and maintained "noble intentions."