Some New Friends for Ken and Barbie

Apparently, Ken, Barbie, G.I. Joe, and the more recent Bratz dolls are not enough!


CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Move over Ken and Barbie, the revolution is here.

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, whom critics accuse of trying to introduce communism in Venezuela, has been modeled into an action doll with his trademark red beret and distinctive mole, according to an online offer.

The 51-cm (20-inch) "revolutionary doll" costs $16 and gives soundbites from the talkative president, according to the offer posted on Internet shopping site and eBay partner MercadoLibre by a seller on Venezuela's Margarita Island.

"Great present for compatriots, birthdays, Christmas and surprises," reads the offer for the action figure, which says the doll comes in uniform or a revolutionary red jacket.

A spokeswoman at MercadoLibre could not give any sales figures for the doll.

Supporters of Chavez praise the former army officer for helping Venezuela's poor majority with social programs financed by oil revenues and his admirers in Caracas sell T-shirts, posters and watches printed with his face.

Opponents blast his self-styled revolution as a carbon-copy of the communist model of his ally Cuban leader Fidel Castro.


Maybe we are on to something here! I have a few suggestions to expand the line and make it a global success.

Fidel Castro doll: Complete with battle fatigues and a cigar. Unfortunately, due to the embargo, the cigar cannot be an authentic Cuban. When this doll wears out there will be no other ones to fill the void.

Mao Tse-tung doll: Accessories include a little red book. Optional poster making kit can be purchased so you can crank out enough posters to give to each of your friends and make sure his image ever present. Countless other nameless dolls in the collection can be lined up for a recreation of the Long March.

Pol Pot doll: Comes complete with a hillside of tiny skulls.

Kim Jong Il doll: Tiny glasses and hair gel are included to maintain that madman hairdo. Nuclear weapons sold separately.

Augusto Pinochet doll: Makes other dolls who oppose him simply disappear.

Papa Doc Duvalier doll: Comes with a contingent of Ton-ton Macoutes. Baby Doc sold separately.

Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos dolls: Allow your little girl to enjoy our dictator line. The Imelda doll comes with 10,000 sets of shoes AND a handy carrying case.