Bush encourages Chavez to respect democracy - 'learn' lessons*** The U.S. Southern Command said two dozen U.S. Army trainers who were supposed to have gone to Venezuela April 12 as the coup was unfolding were first put on hold, then told Sunday the trip was off for the time being. The two countries also have joint annual exercises in navy and coast guard maneuvers. The Pentagon is watching how the situation in Venezuela develops day to day, defense officials said. "We are postponing military-to-military activities there until the situation on the ground stabilizes," said Capt. Riccoh Player, a Pentagon spokesman for hemisphere issues.
More than 40 years of uninterrupted democratic rule almost came to an end April 12 when, in the aftermath of a popular uprising, the military took Chavez into custody. An attempt by businessman Pedro Carmona to form a replacement government collapsed, and Chavez was reinstated Sunday. ***
Chavez 'Walking on Glass' in Divided Venezuela***Far from presenting a solid base of support for the reinstated Chavez, the country's armed forces, which were directly involved in both ousting him and restoring him, were still seething with divisions and dissent. "He (Chavez) is the cause of this situation, and he should watch out," Army Gen. Nestor Gonzalez, who had spoken out against the president a day before the failed coup, told Mexican television from a hiding place somewhere in Venezuela. Gonzalez accused Chavez of ordering armed forces commanders to deploy troops against the anti-government demonstration and he said the commanders' refusal had triggered the original decision to remove the president to avoid bloodshed. Following his triumphant return on Sunday, an apparently chastened Chavez, clutching a crucifix and a tiny blue copy of the constitution, promised to seek a national consensus. Many foes, who had accused him of ruling like a dictator and trying to steer the oil-rich country toward a Cuban-style regime, were skeptical, saying they wanted action not words.***