Posted on 02/05/2006 3:11:19 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he is considering buying enough rifles to arm one million people ready to repel a possible US invasion.
Chavez also threatened to close down his government's US-based refineries if Washington decided to cut diplomatic ties.
During a speech warning his supporters that Washington was considering an invasion of Venezuela, Chavez said that 100,000 Russian-built Kalashnikov assault rifles would not be enough to defend the country.
"We still need a higher number of rifles. The 100,000 Russian rifles are not enough, Venezuela needs to have one million well-equipped and well-armed men and women," he said.
"I've started making contacts with some countries" that would be able to supply the rifles, Chavez told the crowd of supporters to rousing applause.
Relations between Washington and Caracas have been tense in recent months in part because of US criticism of Venezuela's purchases of military equipment, including 100,000 Russian-made assault rifles.
Chavez said Venezuela did not want to go to the extreme of cutting off petroleum supplies to the US but he said if Washington wanted to break relations he could easily order Venezuela's US refineries closed.
"We'll see how high oil prices go, we'll see how much a gallon of gas will cost. I could easily sell the oil we sell to the United States to other countries," he said.
"We don't want to get to that extreme, we want them to leave us in peace."
Venezuela is the world's fifth biggest oil exporter and supplies about 15 per cent of US petroleum imports.
Washington has made no suggestion that it plans to cut off relations with Venezuela but Washington ordered out a Venezuelan diplomat after Chavez expelled a US military attache on spying charges earlier this week.
During Saturday's marathon speech, Chavez extended his war of words with Washington, comparing US President George Bush to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler while commemorating a failed 1992 coup he led as a lieutenant colonel.
"If any president in this world is similar, including physically, to Adolf Hitler it is Mr Danger," said Chavez, prompting cheers from his supporters following a march through Caracas.
"The imperialist, mass murdering, fascist attitude of the president of the United States doesn't have limits. I think Hitler could be a nursery baby next to George W Bush," Chavez added.
The Venezuelan leader's statements followed comments made on Thursday by US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who compared Chavez to Hitler and warned darkly about populist leadership in Bolivia and Cuba.
AP/Reuters
Very interesting.
So what was the third vision to represent? An invasion I assume, but from who?
I hope they buy tons of rifles. When their economy collapses I hope we can buy cheap rifles.
The third is an war where the USA gets invaded by armies from all over the world. Note the red in the cloud represents what? Your guess. My guess its communist/socialist lead.
Having quite a time tracking down whether Tony Sherman did in fact serve under Washington. He was in the colonial army at that time.
But Washington makes vague references to this vision several times afterwards.
They could have 10 million and it wouldn't do them a bit of good, we'd wipe the floors with Venuzuela.
Alas, then they would become blighted and we could seize them under eminent domain... and run them ourselves.
I can just picture it. One million idiots just sitting and waiting for an invasion that will never come. LOL
Those million rifles in the hands of citizens will come in handy for the eventual revolution that will finally overthrow this repressive government.
Worked for us in 1775."
Great point!
That was the W88 actually.
1 Million AK's could not beat even a rag-tag team of US gurellia fighters, not to say the least a well trained US military.
Okay Mr. Chavez, one rifle for one beauty queen. That's my final offer.
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