The opposition has not chosen yet its own candidate for the presidential election in 2012. However, President Hugo Chávez himself is looking for challengers.

In the 359th edition of his TV and radio show "Aló, Presidente" (Hello, President!), aired last Sunday, Chávez apparently nominated Lorenzo Mendoza, the owner of giant food manufacturer and distributor Polar Consortium, and ex Zulia state governor Oswaldo Álvarez Paz, to the presidential race.

"It seems that Mendoza wants to be president," the Head of State said and accused him of using his employees to defend him. "The owner of Polar is included into the list of possible candidates," he insisted on saying and recommended "the filthy rich ones to run for candidates."

He called Álvarez Paz a "traveling corpse." "That gentleman thinks he already is a president. Enjoy your 15 minutes of fame," he advised. While noting that he was not responsible for incarcerating or releasing any Venezuelan, Chávez clarified that some remarks such as the comments made by the political leader "cannot be allowed." Therefore, he requested the Attorney General Office and the judiciary to act strenuously.

"He may continue talking in jail," Chávez reasoned in reference to the former leader of opposition political Copei party.

Translated by Conchita Delgado