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World Cup: Maradona praised by the left

By Kevin Baxter
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This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Venezuela doesn’t have a team in this World Cup, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t following it at home.

Very important people.

President Hugo Chavez pushed back his daily address to the nation so the country could watch Argentina play Nigeria. Argentina is coached by Chavez friend and fellow political traveler Diego Maradona. And after the 1-0 Argentine win, Chavez sent a message of congratulations to Maradona.

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‘Well done Argentina,’ Chavez wrote on his Twitter account. ‘It could have been five goals. Congratulations Comrade Maradona.’

-- Kevin Baxter in Johannesburg

Sports Now
Kevin Baxter

Kevin Baxter writes about soccer and other things for the Los Angeles Times, where he has worked for 27 years. He has covered seven World Cups, four Olympic Games, six World Series and a Super Bowl and has contributed to three Pulitzer Prize-winning series at The Times and Miami Herald. An essay he wrote in fifth grade was voted best in the class. He has a cool dog.

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