Bolivian president-elect meets with Chavez

? Bolivian President-elect Evo Morales, fresh from a visit with Fidel Castro, launched a world tour Tuesday by joining with Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez in a denunciation of free-market economics – a sign of the growing relationship among the three leftist leaders.

Notably, the tour includes stops in Spain, France, Belgium, China and Brazil – but not Washington. Morales’ spokesman says he was not invited.

The Venezuelan leader received Morales with full military honors as well as hugs and smiles. Crowds of leftist, pro-government supporters cheered as Morales and Chavez arrived at the National Pantheon in downtown Caracas, then headed to a private meeting at Miraflores Palace.

Morales is on the first leg of a trip apparently meant to explore the future of Bolivia’s vast natural gas holdings – the second largest in South America – which the president-elect says he wants to nationalize.