Posted on 05/21/2006 4:32:53 AM PDT by yankeedame
Venezuela in mock foreign invasion
From: Reuters From correspondents in Punto Fijo
May 19, 2006
VENEZUELAN President Hugo Chavez has for years predicted that a foreign army would attack the South American nation to snatch its vast oil reserves. A simulation this week showed how it might happen.
A naval landing craft made landfall on the shores of Western Falcon state carrying troops and over a dozen camouflaged tanks. The "invading" army then took over the massive Paraguana Refining Complex, a key asset of the world's No.5 crude exporter. The "occupation" is part of a military exercise to train troops and communities to repel a foreign invader.
The Chavez government said it is preparing citizens to fight a guerrilla war to repel a possible Iraq-style invasion by US troops. The Bush administration insists the invasion paranoia is nothing more than leftist sabre-rattling, but for Chavez supporters the threat is real.
"They've already invaded us, now the invading forces are controlling certain strategic objectives," said Rear Admiral Zahin Quintana, a squadron commander, after disembarking from a warship as part of the exercise. "Now begins the resistance by our troops together with our people."
The tanks began circulating through the streets, and units of mock invading soldiers launched smoke bombs to clear the way. But local residents, organised and trained by military authorities, resisted the assault by blocking roads with rusting cars and burning tyres.
Advertisement: "We're willing to go anywhere to defend our homeland," said Rosmery Trujillo, a participant in the operation, told state television. "This country will never again be put under the boot of the North, thanks to our President Chavez." The mock attack is part of a military operation called "Operation Patriot 2006" being carried out this week.
Venezuela's government has created community Local Defence Councils that would provide support during a potential invasion by hiding weapons, relaying messages or sabotaging water and power services.
Rear Admiral Quintana said the mock attack involved nine warships, three combat planes and four helicopters - two of which are Russian-made models Chavez started acquiring after the US thwarted his attempts to acquire American technology.
Tomorrow the invasion force is scripted to be repelled by Venezuelans trained to defend the nation's strategic assets including oil terminals, fuel filling stations and tanker trucks.
Mr Chavez, a former paratrooper turned populist politician, is locked in a heated war of words with Washington. The US State Department describes him as a threat to democracy in the region, and this week said it would no longer sell weapons or military equipment to the South American nation.
Mr Chavez describes the United States as a decadent empire accustomed to having sway in Latin America, and has called Mr Bush everything from "assassin" to "donkey".
Despite US criticism, Mr Chavez is expected to easily win a reelection bid this December as massive social spending and the widely popular anti-American discourse have kept his approval ratings high.
Critics in Venezuela say Mr Chavez is squandering record oil wealth on improvised social programs and creating an artificial conflict with the United States.
But with oil prices surging and anti-American sentiment high, many Venezuelans see the invasion threat as a reality.
"If oil goes to $100 per barrel?" said one high ranking officer. "Who knows? Anything could happen."
Well, it's nice for the Pentagon to know what Chavez expects them to do. Heh.
How about we not invade and just buy our oil elsewhere. Let him rot.
This guy has the strangest mix of narcissism and paranoia. Every couple of days or so, he needs to say or do something outrageous to get attention. The best thing we can do is develop our own resources and marginalize him.
The only heat, indeed the only words, appear to be coming from his side. The U.S. has studiously ignored this bufoon, which probably pisses him off even more.
Yup. I'm wondering if all of these weapons that he's distributing to his CIDGees will eventually come around to bite him in the ass.
And in the wake of escalating rhetoric from Chavez and posssible further disruption of oil supplies, the US Congress upholds the ban on new offshore drilling. *sigh*
This guy is a damned fool. If history teaches us anything he should look at Iraq and see that a few citizens with barricades wont stop any invasion. The fight is with guerillas and IED's now. Melt into the populace and come out in the evenings planting explosives.
Still anyone who votes for this guy is pretty ignorant and if having them play at these silly games keeps them busy , why not.
"Despite US criticism, Mr Chavez is expected to easily win a reelection bid this December as massive social spending and the widely popular anti-American discourse have kept his approval ratings high."
Actually, here in Curacao -- where we are overwhelemed with Venezualen economic refugees -- every Venezuelain I have spoken to says his approval ratings are kept high because to argue or dis-agee with Chavez would mean you'd get your house burned down and your car torched by his local toughs.
Once again, the Cindy Sheehan wing of the Moonbat party sides with tyranny.
Anyone else remeber our last threatened amphibious assault, what happened and how we actually attacked? Moonbat is playing to the MSM dead men walking. They, moonbat and MSM should read Tom Clancy rather than each others' drivel.
Wouldn't it be ironic if the Chinese invaded Venezuela?
You just nailed it. The US could flick him like a booger and he knows it.
Hugo, its not the landing craft that you should be worried about. Worry about those stealth bombers with real precision bombs.
Why does Chavez remind me so very much of Bill Clinton?
Jimmy Carter burn in hell for all eternity dittos.
This is too funny. Chavez is practicing for being DEFEATED by "nine warships, three combat planes and four helicopters."
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