Analysis: Chavez will arm the people

World Peace Herald ^ | February 25, 2005 | Carlos Coello

[Righty_McRight]

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has ignited new controversy with his plans for "units of popular defense" throughout the country to defend it from a possible attack from "imperialism."

Chavez, who has referred on many occasions to a possible U.S. invasion, said, "If imperialism ever has the idea of challenging Venezuela it would have to deal with Bolivar's people, who is prepared to defend their sovereignty, their motherland."

[Righty_McRight]

This guy almost makes Castro look sane.

[GeronL]

He will arm those who unquestioningly support him and he will disarm everyone else. The headline is misleading

[pillbox_girl]

Fears of a U.S. invasion are predicated on the assumption that the U.S. gives a damn.

Can someone please explain to me just why he or anyone else thinks we do?

[msnimje]

Venezuela does not give their leaders yearly medical exams? This guys cheese has slid off its cracker.

[MJY1288]

Chavez worships Castro. Chavez is Castro's apprentice, NUFF SAID!!!!

[SaltyJoe]

Yeah, but what is Chavez rolling in his cigar that makes him so paranoid? Are there spooks with the ability to collect a urinalysis from him?

[kb2614]

It's good to see a good old fashion South American dictator (sarcasm). I wonder if he'll start wearing one of those military uniforms with 20+ rows of ribbons and medals??

[walford]

Chavez is not as nutty as he may seem:

...The government has said the country must be prepared for "asymmetrical warfare" against "imperialism," a warning Chavez issued after making a substantial weapons purchase from Russia, including 100,000 AK-47s, 40 combat helicopters and antitank and antiaircraft missiles. Venezuela has also been negotiating with Russia's Rosoboronexport to purchase MiG fighter aircraft...

The fact that Chavez would use the term 'assymetrical warfare' -- a term coined in the Pentagon -- is worrisome. Not only is he throwing down the gauntlet that he intends to continue harboring narco-terrorists who are operating outside of his borders. He is indicating that he expects to succeed in foiling any U.S. attempt to stop him.

But there's another reason for the arms buildup and bellicose rhetoric:

...Retired Adm. Ivan Carratu, former director of the Institute for National Defense Studies in Caracas, said the government's frequent announcements of an alleged U.S. invasion were meant to promote nationalism with the purpose of uniting a people divided by Chavez and his policies."Venezuelans are not prepared to go and fight a war against foreign intervention," he said. "Chavez is arming sectors of the population in order to squash the opposition."
   
    The Bush administration has sharply criticized Venezuela's purchase of Russian weapons, stating the deal could fuel a regional arms race that could destabilize the region."The problem is, what if those rifles end up in the hands of criminal and militant groups which operate in the Americas," said Roger Noriega, U.S. assistant secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.
   
    He told CNN said he was referring to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, the Colombian rebel group on the State Department's list of foreign terrorist organizations that operates in Venezuela.
   
    "There are criminal groups that have operated with impunity on Venezuelan territory, apparently with the support of the government, and there are also other groups in other countries of the Americas, with whom the Venezuelan authorities have maintained contact that operate against the democratic governments of the region," he said.

[Khurkris]

I think you analysis has a very good basis. By focusing his countries attention on a mythical invasion threat he can accomplish the creation of these 'local defense groups' and accomplish a great deal in extending and tightening his control.

A classic gambit straight out of Mao's strategy of swimming with the fishes.

Increase 'nationalist fervor' and put your troops out at the village level. Encourage 'good citizens' to monitor the actions, speech and thoughts of each other.

Nothing very new here, except Venzuela has oil. And Russia & the PRC want it.

[kingsurfer]

A lot of people on here are very interested in preventing a return of 80's style Communism and fear Chavez is trying to start a Bolivarian Revolution of all Latin America.

They may have a point but I do not think the current adminstration has the time or effort for military involvement. I think it will be less open. I have my doubts about the legitimacy of another coup or military attack and hope that someone can tell Chavez to stop his posturing and act like a democratic president but I doubt he will.

All in all it is depressing situation either way.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

He just keeps getting nuttier by the day.

[cleo1939]

He know that we won't and that no matter what he says we
really don't give a damn. But it makes him look like he is
standing up the the mighty U.S. bad guys so he just goes on
and on.

He almost got slapped down a peg or two a year or so ago
when he was not shipping oil but somehow he saw the light.

LOL

mai pen rai (never mind this guy).

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Hugo Chavez - Venezuela

[livius]

But maybe his "people" are like the ones in these photos:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/1351401/posts?page=1

This is a must-see: they are photos from the cover of a VZ magazine with an article about a "rally" supposedly attended by thousands of enthusiastic Chavez supporters. Until you look closely, of course...

[barkeep]

In a word; OIL

[Dustbunny]

Geeze, another crack pot!

[Pearls Before Swine]

He will arm those who unquestioningly support him and he will disarm everyone else.

You've got it. Many dictators have implicit or explicit alliances with common criminals and with violent political groups that they later repress. The key here is to destroy the normal order. Look at how the Nazis used the early stormtroopers. Even today you can see the same tendencies in the Democratic policy with the combination of anti-gun policies for the law abiding combined with pandering to criminals.

[Condor51]

If it wasn't for that *#;$%& Church Committee and that ijit Jimmah enacting all of its 'findings' almost verbatim, this commie whack job would be eating dirt by now.

[Unam Sanctam]

I thought the Cold War was supposed to be over -- it looks like the the thuggish anti-American communists are back.

[Lazamataz]

Fears of a U.S. invasion are predicated on the assumption that the U.S. gives a damn. Can someone please explain to me just why he or anyone else thinks we do?