Sean Penn Campaigns for Hugo Chavez's Reelection in Venezuela

August 7th, 2012 9:49 AM

Venezuelan despot Hugo Chavez is one of America's sworn enemies.

Despite this, actor Sean Penn visited Venezuela Sunday to campaign for one of the world's most despised dictators.

Reuters reports:

U.S. actor Sean Penn joined President Hugo Chavez at an election rally in Venezuela on Sunday, bringing a dash of Hollywood to the campaign as he rode with him atop a truck past cheering supporters.

Penn is a friend of Chavez, who hopes to win a new six-year term on October 7. The campaign has turned into the toughest fight of the president's political career.

"Thank you very much for visiting us again, dear friend," Chavez said after introducing Penn to the big crowd in the central city of Valencia. "We're all Americans, from the north, the center, the south. Long live the American continent!"

Penn, in a white shirt and sunglasses and accompanied by Argentine producer Fernando Sulichin, waved from the stage, fist-bumped and hugged Chavez, but did not address the rally.

Here's a video of the rally with Penn being affectionately introduced by Chavez:

Penn's support of Chavez was big news in Venezuela:

As the United States would love to see Chavez defeated in this election, it is disgraceful that one of America's sworn enemies can count on support from such a high profile U.S. citizen.

(HT Weasel Zippers)