Chavez: Venezuela won't tolerate secession in Bolivia

AP on Yahoo ^ | 5/8/08 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez says Venezuela will not tolerate a movement for secession in Bolivia's eastern lowland states. Chavez says his government has not meddled in the domestic affairs of other Latin American nations, but would if Bolivian states now seeking greater autonomy from Bolivia's central government push for total independence.

He did not say Thursday what specifically Venezuela would do.

Bolivia's largest and richest state overwhelmingly backed a May 4 referendum seeking greater autonomy from the leftist government of President Evo Morales. Leaders insist they have no interest in full independence.

Chavez, a close Morales ally, accuses the U.S. of fomenting the state's autonomy movement, a charge U.S. officials deny.

[NormsRevenge]

People holding flags walk past a mural depicting Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez during a workers parade in Caracas, May 1, 2008. Chavez pumped up the minimum wage by 30 percent on Wednesday and said putting cash in workers' pockets came before his battle with Latin America's highest inflation rate. On the flags are former Cuban President Fidel Castro (L-R), Ernesto Guevara and Venezuelan national hero Simon Bolivar. REUTERS/Jorge Silva (VENEZUELA)

[buck jarret]

Viva Santa Cruz!

[Proud_USA_Republican]

"Chavez says his government has not meddled in the domestic affairs of other Latin American nations"

Best laugh I've had all day.

[7mmMag@LeftCoast]

I am in complete shock that the earth above Simon Bolivar's grave has not caught fire from him spinning in it at 100,000 rpm.

The invoking Simon Bolivar's name by that wasted piece of human excrement Chavez is enough to justify his being placed on ice.

[JasonC]

Bolivar wasn't exactly Jesus Christ Himself, either. He engaged in racist genocide.

[uglybiker]

Source?

[utherdoul]

South America is our back yard and we say what goes on there. Thus we should lend our full support to the Bolivian succession. Military, economic and otherwise.

[TheMole]

Hugo "won't tolerate" the secession of Bolivia's easrern lowland provinces? That caused me to check the map of South America.

Right. Bolivia is separated from Venezuela by several hundred miles of Brazilian territory.

[eyedigress]

Thanks for the map. Brazil is very powerful BTW.

[wastedyears]

This J.O. wants to meddle in the affairs of another nation.

Only a matter of time ‘till somebody introduces him to .308.

[chuckles]

Are we friendly enough with Chile to fly over their country? I think a couple of carriers offshore would do the trick. If not, I guess we could bomb Chile also.

[Don W]

Your comment absolutely demonstrates to the entire world just how utterly ignorant some Americans can be. I PRAY that you are not in government or even the press...though the press *thinks* it is the gov't.

Chile is a FRIENDLY!! You don't pLss off a friendly unless you have a REEEEALLLY good reason, and even then you had best think about it.

Reagan acceded to the wishes of the Spanish AND the French regarding "overfly" to carry out the warning raid on Tripoli.

Then think about it twice more. Enemies are everywhere. Friends take YEARS to gain the trust and confidence of, and your flip comment...

[OKIEDOC]

Times a wasting to get rid of Hugo.

If Senor Obama gets in look for Hugo to run a bigger mouth on South America.

[chuckles]

Well, I keep up with most things but I can't keep up with South and Central America. Since Chavez took over, we've lost Nicaragua, Ecuador, and several other Banana Republics. I was even planning a trip to Ecuador a few years ago, WHEN THEY SUPPOSEDLY WERE FRIENDLY TO US. They aren't now. It changed in the last year or so when I wasn't looking.

As far as Spain and France, I would have bombed the commie bastards when we went to Tripoli. For sure France. Who told you they were an ally? They may be now with Sarkozi, but they sure as hell haven't been since Viet Nam. As far as Spain, you saw their nads when the got some trains blown up.

The point is Chile may be a fine friend until we want to protect their asses by bombing Chavez. Then you may find they approve of Chavez more than you think. Your comments show the world just how arrogant Americans can be. You must work for the State Department. All emotion and no spine.

[eclecticEel]

I believe this headline is a mistake, it should read: Chavez: Venezuela won't tolerate success in Bolivia, it would make him look bad.

[Don W]

GOOD FREAKING GRIEF, LOOK AT A MAP!

[chuckles]

I looked at the provided map. It looks like to defend Bolivia it would be the best policy to park off the coast of Chile, and BOMB THE HELL OUT OF ANYONE THAT LOOKED LIKE A COMMIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unless of course Chile is so friendly they would let us use their bases for the exercise.

Why don't you take a pill?

[Don W]

From what I gather from your posts, you would rather overfly a nation possibly averse to such action in order to “punish” a nation that could be directly reprimanded without any violation of airspace whatsoever.

You really ARE the wilfully ignorant.

Venezuela is the ONLY potential threat at this time, yet you propose alienating Chile.

I know what STUPID is. You are not stupid, but how can you not see the result of your outlook?

[SlapHappyPappy]

What a genius. Raise the minimum wage because inflation is so high people can’t afford anything. Of course that will force the producers to raise prices to keep up with their now higher labor costs, meaning even more inflation!

Lather, rinse, repeat.