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The Inflection Point: Venezuela’s Military Begins To Defect, March With Protesters
Newz Sentinel ^ | 5-7-2017

Posted on 05/07/2017 3:25:57 PM PDT by blam

One month ago, when discussing the latest “explosive” turn in Venezuela’s political situation, we predicted that the worst case for president Nicolas Maduro who has so far managed to keep the army on his side even as Venezuela faces now daily violent and in some cases deadly protests, would be the start of the local army turning on the regime, and defecting to join the protesters. Overnight, according to Thor Halvorsen of the Human Rights Foundation, this “inflection point” appears to have arrived when he observed in a Tweet that “the military in parts of Venezuela has begun to defect. They are now marching *with* the protesters. Dozens of soldiers are under arrest.”

Touching on this topic, overnight the NYT mused why have Venezuela’s “powerful political and military elites stuck by President Nicolás Maduro”, noting that “the country would seem to be a prime candidate for something scholars call an “elite fracture,” in which enough powerful officials break away to force a change in leadership.”

“The fact that it hasn’t happened in the last two years is the biggest puzzle of all,” said Steven Levitsky, a Harvard University political scientist. “If it happens next week, all of us will say, ‘Yeah, it was bound to happen.’”

The NYT further notes that the government has been preparing its defenses since 2002. That year, amid major protests, Hugo Chávez, Mr. Maduro’s predecessor, ordered the military to impose order.

It instead removed him in a coup that was quickly reversed. After that, Mr. Chávez packed the military with allies. The military also gained vast patronage streams, which some local officials say include control over gold mining.

(snip)

(Excerpt) Read more at newzsentinel.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: maduro; military; protests; venezuela
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1 posted on 05/07/2017 3:25:57 PM PDT by blam
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To: blam

The elite have not rebelled because they are being taken care of. The military too but it is obvious to them that the people are not being taken care of and the future of the country is in serious jeopardy. This would be a good time for Trump to tell Maduro that he has 48 hours to leave the country.


2 posted on 05/07/2017 3:28:49 PM PDT by Uncle Sam 911
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To: blam

How do we take advantage of the situation to where the CUBANS do the same thing in THEIR country? Trump in the WH has nothing to do with it? Talk dirty to me.


3 posted on 05/07/2017 3:30:30 PM PDT by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
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To: blam

“The fact that it hasn’t happened in the last two years is the biggest puzzle of all,” said Steven Levitsky, a Harvard University political scientist...

Because they are likely still getting rich AND don’t want to die.


4 posted on 05/07/2017 3:30:55 PM PDT by dp0622 (IThe only thing an upper crust Conservative hates more than a liberal is a middle class conservative)
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To: Uncle Sam 911
But when the tipping point/inflection point arrives, the elite will run for cover.

We will see this week if it has arrived.

5 posted on 05/07/2017 3:31:16 PM PDT by RoosterRedux
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To: blam

Enlisted soldiers have extended families. If they feel the hunger of those family members, they will choose family.

History repeats itself. Collectivist history repeats itself even more.


6 posted on 05/07/2017 3:31:29 PM PDT by lurk (TEat)
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To: blam

An elite fracture? Surely, only the elites can come up with a clumsy and evasive description to describe La Nuit de Varennes effect.


7 posted on 05/07/2017 3:31:53 PM PDT by miss marmelstein
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To: blam

10- 9-8-7-6-......

Just a matter of time. Election is scheduled for 2018. They need to move it up to stop total chaos


8 posted on 05/07/2017 3:32:31 PM PDT by hoosiermama (When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.DJT)
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To: miss marmelstein

Excellent way to put it miss marmelstein. Also enjoyed your “about page”


9 posted on 05/07/2017 3:36:21 PM PDT by mosaicwolf
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To: lurk
"Enlisted soldiers have extended families. If they feel the hunger of those family members, they will choose family."

I've read recently that Venezuelan adults have lost an average of 19 pounds over the last year.

10 posted on 05/07/2017 3:41:47 PM PDT by blam
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To: mosaicwolf

You folks have not mentioned the Venezuelan ballplayers thriving in the US. They need to speak out-COLLECTIVLY- from the WH. Might have to wait until November.


11 posted on 05/07/2017 3:42:51 PM PDT by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
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To: blam

Ain’t socialism grand?

5.56mm


12 posted on 05/07/2017 3:46:56 PM PDT by M Kehoe
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To: RoosterRedux
Those that guess the timing poorly might decorate some lamp posts.
The smart rats know this particular ship IS sinking soon and have their bags packed.
13 posted on 05/07/2017 3:48:47 PM PDT by 45semi (A police state is always preceded by a nanny state...)
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To: DIRTYSECRET
Trump in the WH has nothing to do with it?

This was festering for a long time before Trump was President so Trump had nothing to do with it. This is way overdue and we will see if anything come out of it or not.

14 posted on 05/07/2017 3:50:09 PM PDT by plain talk
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To: hoosiermama

My guess is this will escalate too quickly for them to move an election date....It will escalate into chaos soon....


15 posted on 05/07/2017 3:50:25 PM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC....PATRIOTICALLY CORRECT!!!!)
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To: blam

Counterrevolutionary scum! Send the Democrats and Antifa down there to reinforce proper Communist revolutionary discipline!!! /sarcasm ;)


16 posted on 05/07/2017 3:53:01 PM PDT by Frank_2001
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To: blam
Rule #1 in the Totalitarian Leftist Handbook is DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO KEEP THE MILITARY ON YOUR SIDE.

When will the defecting soldiers be executed in public?

17 posted on 05/07/2017 3:54:37 PM PDT by TChad (Propagandists should not be treated like journalists.)
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To: M Kehoe

OK. So Mr. Trump calls for a BIG TIME popular uprising. Tells the Venezuelan women they’re beautiful(all ages)and deserve our support. What effect do you think that will have on the men there-or in Cuba? Don’t forget-there are socialist governments in Brazil and Argentina that WORSHIP John Wayne types-like Trump. The perfect storm is setting up. Trump is waiting to strike. My women are from Iran. Beautiful. Iran will be next unless the Norks start WW3.


18 posted on 05/07/2017 3:57:06 PM PDT by DIRTYSECRET (urope. Why do they put up with this.)
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To: mosaicwolf

Oh, dear. I’ve been meaning to clean up that home page!


19 posted on 05/07/2017 3:58:34 PM PDT by miss marmelstein
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To: blam

The wurst is yet to come...


20 posted on 05/07/2017 4:02:29 PM PDT by Paladin2 (No spelchk nor wrong word auto substition mobile devices. Please be intelligent and deal with it....)
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