Miss Otis regrets she’s unable to lunch today
She is sorry to be delayed
– Cole Porter
Unlike Miss Otis, Nicolas Maduro didn’t stray down Lover’s Lane. Instead, the Venezuelan dictator cancelled a previously-scheduled and well-publicized audience with Pope Francis due to flu and otitis, which is what brought Miss Otis to mind.
Of course, Maduro had to say it in a cadena (which is broadcast on all licensed TV and radio stations in the country).
The news report states that the cancellation
comes as the Catholic Church in Venezuela has been stepping up criticism of human rights abuses in the country.
The Venezuelan Catholics are stepping up the pressure; however, Pope Francis has yet to speak in behalf of Leopoldo Lopez, who is still rotting in jail and killing himself with a hunger strike,
Good evening. It’s Lillian [Lopez’s wife]. Leopoldo sent me an important message. Today is his 12th day in hunger strike. Please RT.
Buenas noches. Es Lilian. Leopoldo me hizo llegar un mensaje importante. Hoy cumple 12 días en huelga de hambre. Por favor RT
— Leopoldo López (@leopoldolopez) June 6, 2015
Considering how Pope Francis’s own-brokered Cuba/U.S. deal left Cuban dissidents flapping in the wind, and how chummy Raul and Francis got along, perhaps Maduro could have claimed a miraculous cure and gone on his Vatican junket with no adverse side effects.
