Former London mayor to advise Venezuela's Hugo Chavez

Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who during his tenure was nicknamed "Red Ken" for his socialist political leanings, is to work as a consultant for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the BBC reports.

Livingstone, a longtime Chavez supporter, "will advise pro-government mayors in the capital Caracas on urban planning." He said he was proud and honored to be part of the Venezuelan city's transformation, the BBC notes:

As mayor, Mr. Livingstone struck a deal to swap cheap Venezuelan oil for city planning advice, but it was cancelled by his successor Boris Johnson.

After a meeting with Mr Chavez in Caracas on Wednesday, the former mayor said he was pleased that Venezuela would now get the "advice that we promised."

The BBC's James Ingham said the two men, who share left-wing political views, hugged each other like old friends.

Read the rest of the BBC dispatch on Hugo Chavez and former London mayor Ken Livingstone here.

Click here for more on Venezuela.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City