Moving Clocks Ahead, Reaching Back in Time

In a time of startling policy announcements from Mr. Chávez, it is no wonder that picking up a newspaper in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela can sometimes feel like perusing The Onion. Recent statements by Mr. Chávez have some Venezuelans pondering the inspiration for his latest moves.

Last Sunday, Mr. Chávez rolled out plans to build a set of artificial island-cities, intended to demarcate Venezuela’s sovereignty in the Caribbean, and to import 5,000 Russian sniper rifles to arm guerrillas in the event of an American invasion. It was also the day he announced the change in time zone.