Venezuela?

This is coolbert:

Something fishy here too??!!

Again, from the Chicago Tribune today:

“Around the World”

“Elsewhere”

“Antarctica Team: President Hugo Chavez heralded a team of 15 scientists Sunday who will participate in Venezuela’s first expedition to Antarctica, where his government hopes to establish a research station.”

What possible reason would Chavez and the Venezuelans have for setting up a research station in Antarctica? Venezuela is a tropical country
and NOT known as being a nation renowned for scientific research. Does not have a seacoast contiguous to Antarctic waters or a history of Antarctic exploration.

Chavez has ulterior motivation here? Use a presence in Antarctic as a vehicle for provocations, confrontation, machinations, etc.?

I am reading something into this that does not exist? What is it then?

coolbert.