Latin Humor

A Venezuelan court says it will fine comedian Laureano Marquez for a satirical article he wrote for a local newspaper. He wrote the article after President Hugo Chavez remade the nation's coat of arms so a white horse was shown running to the left instead of the right. Chavez said he did so because his 9-year-old daughter Rosines said the horse looked funny. Marquez wrote a letter to the girl suggesting she ask her father to exchange the horse for a house pet such as a Golden retriever or a turtle and asking her not to tell her father "not to talk about things beyond 2021" a reference to Chavez's claims that he wants to rule to 2021 or beyond. The court ruled the letter violated "the honor, reputation and private life of the girl." It also fined the newspaper $18,600.