Posted on 05/08/2008 9:12:12 PM PDT by 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.
Where did he do that?
Would have been easier if Bolivia won the War of the Pacific.
The Declaration of War to Death
Venezuelans: an army of brothers, sent by the sovereign Congress of New Granada, has come to free you, and it is already amongst you, after evicting the oppressors from the provinces of Mérida and Trujillo.
We are the ones sent to destroy the Spaniards, to protect the Americans, and to reestablish the republican governments that formed the Confederation of Venezuela. The states covering our arms are once again ruled by their old constitutions and magistrates, fully enjoying their liberty and independence; for our mission is only to break the chains of servitude, which still oppress some of our peoples, not claiming to create laws, or enforce acts of domination, which the right of war could authorize us to do.
Touched by your misfortunes, we could not indifferently watch the afflictions inflicted to you by the barbaric Spaniards, who have annihilated you with robbery and destroyed you with death, infringed the most solemn treaties and capitulations; in one word, committed every crime, reducing the Republic of Venezuela to the most horrific desolation. It is so that justice demands vindication, and necessity forces us to take it. May the monsters that infest colombian soil, and have covered it with blood disappear for good; may their punishment be equal to the magnitude of their treason, so that the stain of our ignominy is washed off, and to show the nations of the universe that the sons of America cannot be offended without punishment.
In spite of our just resentments against the iniquous Spaniards, our magnanimousity still deigns itself to open, for the last time, a route to conciliation and friendship; we still invite them to live peacefully among us, if, hating their crimes and turning to good faith, they cooperate with us in the destruction of the intruding government of Spain, and the reestablishment of the Republic of Venezuela.
All Spaniards who do not conspire against tyranny in favor of our just cause, using the most effective and active resources, will be considered enemies, and will be punished as traitors to the homeland, and therefore, will be promptly executed. On the other hand, a general and absolute pardon is issued to all Spaniards who pass into our army, with or without their weapons; to those who offer aid to the good citizens working hard to shake off the shackles of tyranny. War officers and magistrates that proclaim the government of Venezuela and join our cause will keep their destinies and work positions; in one word, all Spaniards who perform service for the State will be reputed and treated as Americans.
And you, Americans, who have been separated from the road of justice by error and perfidy, know that your brothers forgive you and seriously regret your misdeeds, intimately persuaded that you cannot be guilty, and that only the ignorance and blindness imposed on you by the authors of your crimes could cause you to perpetrate them. Do not fear the sword that comes to avenge you and cut the ignominious bindings which tie you to your executioners' fate. Rely on absolute immunity for your honor, life and properties; the mere title of Americans will be you warranty and safeguard. Our weapons have come to protect you, and will never be used against a single one of our brothers.
This amnesty extends to the very traitors who have most recently committed their acts of felony; and will be so religiously atented that no reason, cause or pretext will be enough to make us break our offer, no matter how extraordinary the reasons you give us to excite our adversity.
Spaniards and Canarians, count on death, even if indifferent, if you do not actively work in favor of the independence of America. Americans, count on life, even if guilty.
- Simon Bolivar, 1813
Which was deliberate race war against the white Spanish throughout South America. He personal ordered the executions of Spanish prisoners of war captured at Caracas and La Guairia in 1814, following this decree.
Lord Acton taught us that powerful men are almost always bad men, and reminded us that the worst crime is homocide, and the final judgment depends on the worst action. Deliberately fomenting race hatred, and executing unresisting prisoners out of it or to satisfy it, fully qualify. He can be as famous and celebrated as you please, he was still damnable.
OMG! He may be crazy but he IS stupid.
They don't call him El Loco for nothin', but they should add El Estupido.
“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. “
I do try to play out in my mind this world in which we bombed france en route to libya. Even Barbarossa had more foresight involved than this particular sneak attack.
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