The new Chѐ?
Diego Maradona, self described as “completely drained of energy” after his side was roughly treated by a young German squad at the World Cup, has stated his uncertainty about continuing as manager of the Argentine national team. Despite the ridicule that much of the rest of the world (those not named Rob Hughes of the NY Times, at any rate) have foisted on his efforts as the man in charge, he is very much appreciated and loved in his home country. The president of the Argentine federation has been lavishing el Pibe with praise and bending over backwards to get him to commit to another four years at the helm.
The man himself? Well, he has been on a busman’s holiday of sorts, apparently advising good friend Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela, during his ongoing relationships issues with neighbouring Colombia. In case you’re unaware, the two countries have been involved in a dispute over whether Venezuela is harboring Colombian rebels on their side of the border. The Colombians brought what they claim is satellite surveillance, revealing rebel forces hunkered down in Venezuelan territory, to an OAS summit. The Venezuelans, thinking creatively under pressure, replied that the photos could have been taken anywhere. Maradona, who is known to have a leftist political view and has famously enjoyed the hospitality of Cuba’s Fidel Castro, was at Chavez’ side today as the Venezuelan severed diplomatic ties with those cheeky coca farmers.
The BBC, that solid bastion of journalistic integrity and staunch opponent of tabloidism, pictured Maradona and Chavez together in a very suggestive manner but somehow failed altogether to mention the Argentine, in the report itself. Surely though, his council was of the greatest import in aiding Chavez in making such an important political decision?
Maradona is well known for catching his opponents off guard with surprise tactics. Just ask the 1986 English squad. With Colombia’s government in a state of transition, after the recent election of Juan Manuel Santos, who doesn’t assume power for another two weeks, this is the perfect time to go on the offensive.
The political scene has become so dull in the last few years. It’s all he said, she said, with plenty of finger pointing and shouting but no real action. Maradona’s antics and eminently quotable press conferences in South Africa certainly made the World Cup much more interesting. Maybe he could do the same for Latin American politics. After all, it’s been what, three decades, since we’ve had a good South American war?
Could Diego Maradona have a future as a political consultant? At least we know his strategy. Attack, attack, attack!
The three amigos, Maradona, Chavez and Bolivia's Evo Morales
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