Castro crank yankers - International - Enrique Santos and Joe Ferrero of Miami's WXDJ-FM El Zol 95.7 fool Venezuela's president with Fidel Castro's voice - Brief Article

South Florida CEO, Feb, 2003 by James Broida

* Who says you can't pick up the phone and call the president of a country? Two local radio disc jockeys did just that in January, when they called Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Using snippets from a controversial conversation between Cuban dictator Fidel Castro and Mexican President Vicente Fox made public in 2001, DJs Enrique Santos and Joe Ferrero of Miami's WXDJ-FM El Zol 95.7 called the presidential palace in Caracas.

Fooled by the sounds of Castro's voice in the background, an officer at the palace gave them Chavez's direct line. The DJs then played one-liners from Fidel, such as "Did you receive my letter" and "Everything's set for Tuesday" At first, Chavez engaged in conversation, but when he said "I don't understand" the DJs broke in and told him it was a joke. Santos then called Chavez a "murderer" and a few other things, and hung up. Venezuelan authorities say they will not prosecute the DJs. Raul Alarcon, president of station parent company Spanish Broadcasting System, reportedly was not amused.