August 9 – Diego Maradona is at it again – not making a comeback but coming up with yet more madcap comments, this time pledging to be a “soldier… until death” for embattled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
With Maduro facing criticism from around Latin America and the world following his recent election victory, Maradona couldn’t resist another attempt at self-publicity as he rallied behind the leftist regime.
“We are chavistas until death,” Maradona wrote on his official Facebook page, using a term to refer to supporters of late former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
“When Maduro orders, I am dressed as a soldier for a free Venezuela, to fight against the imperialism and those who want to take our flags, which is the most sacred thing we have.
Maradona is well-known for supporting leftist politicians in Latin America and was a friend of late Cuban leader Fidel Castro, whose face is reportedly tattooed on his leg. But his defiant declaration brought a quick response from his former World Cup teammate Mario Kempes.
“How can you support the death of 124 young people who defended liberty and democracy in their country,” Kempes, now a commentator with ESPN, wrote on Twitter.
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