Mercenaries 2, the new next-gen title from Pandemic Studios, has been labelled as an example of psychological warfare by supporters of Venezuela president Hugo Chavez, who fear it signifies the first step towards a real life invasion.
Currently in development for the PlayStation 3 and scheduled for release later this year, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames is set in Venezuela and centres on a conflict for oil that "turns the country into a war zone."
According to a report by the Associated Press, politicians loyal to Venezuela president Hugo Chavez - who has repeatedly accused Washington of planning to overthrow him - believe that the game is a tool which will be used by the government to gain support for a real life invasion, with congressman Ismael Garcia commenting: "I think the US government knows how to prepare campaigns of psychological terror so they can make things happen later."