Posted on 04/24/2017 2:43:22 PM PDT by PJ-Comix
Take a look at the map of Venezuela below. What a lot of people don't realize are the large distances in that country plus how difficult they are to reach. For example, the state of Tachira where San Cristobal is located in the west is about 400 miles from Caracas. It is difficult to reach by road due to the mountainous terrain that stretches for many miles. In fact, until the early 20th century, Tachira was almost completely isolated from the rest of the country. I had a feel for this isolation a few years ago when I visited San Cristobal.
In addition to the physical isolation from the central government, the population of the San Cristobal area are almost universally opposed to the Chavista central government. One big reason is much of that population immigrated there in the past 50 years from Colombia, just across the border. I can personally attest that crossing that border from Venezuela is like going from a crumbling hell-hole to a clean tropical almost paradise. (My main criticism of Colombia is that their casinos really suck.)
If the opposition were to take over the airfields and military bases in the state of Tachira (and also in the other distant states) there isn't much the central government can do. They can't afford to reduce their presence in Caracas plus sending in troops would be quite difficult. Just sending reinforcement troops along the roads risks desertions in the face of an angry hostile population.
Salami slicing off sections of Venezuela might be a good strategy for the opposition, leaving the Chavistas in control only in the Caracas area while the rest of the nation breaks free. Of course, that would be an untenable position for the Chavistas and eventually Maduro (and henchman) might go the Batista route by escaping the country via planes.
Maybe it’s just me but the idea of breaking up a country is just sad to me.
Could be interesting, but Maduro’s air force has 39 combat aircraft that might be taking a role in suppressing secession. OTOH, they might be talked around to the other side, too. And if that happens Maduro won’t even be holding Caracas.
Good for opposing aircraft or tanks but how does that help them on the ground held by civilians? They would have an 800 mile round trip for each mission.
But as I said, it risks a Battleship Potemkin scenario, too. There are airfields all over that country and the planes don't necessarily have to return to base. So, risky move at best but that's what dictators do.
I would do it! In a heart beat!
They need a port.
If your point is to encourage nationalism, weaken the opposition, and strengthen the central government.
If your point is to encourage nationalism, weaken the opposition, and strengthen the central government.
I disagree. This is a classic move to overthrow a government. Once you have control of territory, you can claim to be the legitimate government, request aid and foreign assistance.
The central government has lost legitimacy in Venezuela. Put up radio free Venezuela transmitters, pledge to restore constitutional government, order, and the food supply. The Maduro dictatorship could fold. They have very little support, and Maduro has to be looking over his shoulder all the time.
The Chavista AG said that the Maduro orders ignoring the Constitution were illegal, just a few weeks ago!
If you draw a line from Valencia to San Cristobol anything to the West of that line despises Maduro, to the East of the line it is only about 60%.
I lived in Venezuela for a few years back in the good times of the 70s, many many good people there. A lot of very bad people also. They are also known as the government of Maduro.
If Maduro does not fail in the next six months, and I think he will, Venezuela will become a Stalinist state. It is half way there.
The way to solve the problem is arm anyone that does not have a gun. The good guys do not have the guns and the bad guys do. It is really not that hard to do if you tell the world to kiss your butt and send in the weapons. In World War II we air dropped weapons all over Europe to the resistance. It worked and worked well. There would be great carnage. The carnage that Maduro will do if unchecked will be many times worse.
Like Obama created ISIS, there is resistance to Maduro. He’s taken guns away from the people and is arming his followers. Perhaps it’s time to help the resistance?
Maracaibo in the state of Zulia right next to Tachira. Zulia is very anti Madura.
Madura = Maduro Tengo dedos estupidos, I have stupid fingers.
I can’t find Táchira on map map. You start right off talking about it and have a map without it marked.
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