Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Comandante Chavez's Friends
The Weekly Standard ^ | 03/11/03 | Thor Halvorssen

Posted on 03/10/2003 9:11:27 PM PST by Pokey78

Hugo Chavez supports Saddam Hussein and terrorism. Several congressional Democrats support Chavez. What's wrong with this picture.

LATE LAST YEAR, 16 U.S. congressmen voiced their approval for Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. Representatives Barney Frank, John Conyers, Chaka Fattah, Jan Schakowsky, Jose Serrano, and others complained in a letter to President Bush that the United States was not adequately protecting Chavez against a groundswell of internal opposition to his increasingly authoritarian rule--an upsurge that might lead to his ouster. Elected to power in 1998, Lt. Col. Chavez has hijacked democracy in Venezuela and is openly moving the country toward totalitarianism. Beyond Venezuela's borders, he celebrates, protects, and does business with terrorists.

A day after the September 11 terrorist attacks, President Chavez declared that "The United States brought the attacks upon itself, for their arrogant imperialist foreign policy." Chavez also described the U.S. military response to bin Laden as "terrorism," claiming that he saw no difference between the invasion of Afghanistan and the September 11 terrorist attacks.

While the United States considers Saddam Hussein a threat to world peace, Chavez has hailed Saddam as his "brother" and business "partner." In the past two years Chavez has continued to cultivate relationships with the governments listed in the State Department's roll of state sponsors of terrorism--he has been particularly vocal in his support for the Iranian regime.

Last December a high-level Venezuelan military defector gave sworn testimony that terrorist links exist between al Qaeda and the Chavez government. The defector, President Chavez's personal pilot, alleges that one operation involved the transfer of close to $1 million in cash to Osama bin Laden.

In January, Judicial Watch, a public-interest legal organization based in Washington, filed a $100 million suit against Hugo Chavez on behalf of a victim and survivor of the September 11th terrorist attacks. The lawsuit alleges that Chavez provided material, financial, and other support and assistance to the al Qaeda terror network.

In February, a Venezuelan Muslim, Hasil Mohammed Rahaham-Alan, was detained in London's Gatwick airport for stashing a grenade in his luggage. He was apprehended after disembarking from a British Airways flight that originated in Caracas. The British Mail reported that al Qaeda operates a training camp on the Venezuelan island of Margarita. The Venezuelan ambassador in London has obtained a "legal stop" preventing the newspaper from commenting on the article.

Also, the congressional signatories turn a blind eye to mountains of hard evidence--most supplied by U.S. allies in the Colombian government--confirming Chavez's support for the FARC and ELN terrorist networks. The Colombian government declared that the head of the FARC terrorist group, Manual Marulanda, is hiding in Venezuela, and the Colombian embassy in Caracas was bombed a day after Chavez made a blistering speech attacking Colombia. The Financial Times reported last week that the perpetrators of the bombing may be FARC terrorists or even members of the Venezuelan secret police. Yesterday in Colombia, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Roy Chaderton gave a press conference where he unequivocally stated that the Chavez government will not refer to the FARC Colombian terrorists as "terrorists," because the Chavez government wishes to remain "neutral."

It is unthinkable that congressmen who enjoy access to detailed intelligence reports are willing so blithely to disregard the Chavez government's track record on matters that directly affect the national security of the United States.

These congressional Democrats are not alone in their misguided support for Hugo Chavez. For years, Representative Cass Ballenger (R-NC) has had a bizarre relationship with Chavez. Ballenger has emphasized that the "Venezuelan Caucus" he established with Rep. William Delahunt (D-MA) exists to "show friendship to President Chavez and to encourage him to embrace democracy." Ballenger and Hunt have embraced Chavez--and served as his U.S. tour guides. In return, Chavez has repeatedly used his friendship with the congressmen to prop himself up by showing strong support from and access to powerful members of the U.S. government.

To their credit, seven of the congressmen who wrote to President Bush have written another letter. On March 6 they wrote Chavez with some questions. They didn't ask about terrorism. Instead they inquired about the arrests and murders of members of the opposition to Chavez's rule. It's progress, of a sort. But we can do better.

Any congressional support of Chavez is particularly galling given that he is vocal about his loathing of the United States and American liberty. Yet unlike Chavez and his paid supporters, the great majority of Venezuelans have great affection for America and its freedoms. A recent Pew survey on "Global Attitudes" demonstrated that, although much of the world--and nearly all of South America--resents and despises America, Venezuelans rank among the greatest admirers of the United States and its people.

Congress should put President Chavez on notice that his dictatorial actions will not be tolerated It should also urge the Organization of American States to expel him, and impose immediate sanctions for his state sponsorship of terrorism. Any appeasement of Chavez sends a comforting message to the enemies of freedom. Additionally, it sends a dispiriting signal to the natural allies of the United States: the millions of Venezuelans who reject the grotesque tyranny of Hugo Chavez.

Thor Halvorssen is a human rights and civil liberties activist in Philadelphia. He grew up in Venezuela.


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: latinamericalist
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last

1 posted on 03/10/2003 9:11:27 PM PST by Pokey78
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
recent revelations of Chavez aid to a number of international terrorist groups. The evidence has been extensively documented by both Venezuelan and American military and intelligence officials, among them Chavez's own former personal pilot, Venezuelan Air Force Major Juan Diaz Castillo, and U.S. General James T. Hill, Commander of United States Southern Command, on Thursday, January 9th, 2003 at 'Council of the Americas' in New York City.

Hugo Chavez has close ties to Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, and is widely considered to be his protege. The U.S. State Department has officially designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. Chavez, as president of Venezuela, and in furtherance of his radical, terrorist agenda, initiated a plan to assist, aid and abet Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda to relocate and train terrorists for future attacks on the United States, domestically and abroad, by providing them with at least $1,000,000.00, as reported in Fox News, WorldNetDaily, Global News Wire and EFE News Service. Chavez sent the $1,000,000.00 to his ambassador in the region, Marquez, and Marquez arranged to take the money to Afghanistan. Once there, $100,000.00 was paid to the Taliban and $900,000.00 to bin Laden and al Qaeda. These funds reportedly supported terrorist acts aimed at Americans and U.S. interests domestically and abroad, says Judicial Watch, the Washington-based public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption and abuse.

2 posted on 03/10/2003 9:16:17 PM PST by kcvl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78; Howlin; Dog; Mo1; PhiKapMom
bttt
3 posted on 03/10/2003 9:21:42 PM PST by kcvl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
Gee .. wasn't it Jimmy Carter that was just over then supporting Chavez with the oil problems??
4 posted on 03/10/2003 9:25:30 PM PST by Mo1 (RALLY FOR AMERICA - VALLEY FORGE,PA MARCH 16, 2003 1:00 PM)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Mo1

10:00 2003-01-22

Jimmy Carter, the new friend of Venezuela The former US President would support Chavez's positions

Since last week, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jimmy Carter, is trying to resume the negotiations between the Government and the opposition. Talks had come to a standstill in Caracas, as the anti-Chavez sectors continue the strike and the President insists on a Constitutional way out to the crisis.

Carter's mission is to encourage both parties to return to the dialogue and to back OAS General Secretary and former President of Colombia, Cesar Gaviria on his mediation efforts. "Venezuelans are responsible for the success of the negotiation and we -Carter's Center- are here back efforts towards a peaceful solution to the crisis", said the US former President to the Press in a Caracas's hotel.

Carter met yesterday President Chavez and announced his intention to push a constitutional alternative to put an end to the conflict. In a statement, he explained that either a referendum on Chavez's Presidency in August or amendments to the National Constitution are the options he will propose to the OAS. If both parties accept one of the alternatives, the legal process to make it real should start and the opposition should end the strike.

5 posted on 03/10/2003 9:30:09 PM PST by kcvl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
You know I really wish if they were going to give Carter credit .. they should give him full credit

"Since last week, the Nobel Peace Prize winner for NORTH KOREA , Jimmy Carter"

As for Chavez .. ever notice it's liberals like Carter that stand up for these dictators?

6 posted on 03/10/2003 9:34:56 PM PST by Mo1 (RALLY FOR AMERICA - VALLEY FORGE,PA MARCH 16, 2003 1:00 PM)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: *Latin_America_List; Cincinatus' Wife
http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list
7 posted on 03/10/2003 9:45:15 PM PST by Libertarianize the GOP (Ideas have consequences)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Libertarianize the GOP; Pokey78
Thank you for the ping and the post.

Hugo Chavez - Venezuela

8 posted on 03/10/2003 11:06:12 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
bttt
9 posted on 03/12/2003 3:44:54 PM PST by Tailgunner Joe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
bttt
10 posted on 08/21/2003 2:26:24 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

Just a friendly reminder...


11 posted on 09/20/2006 10:12:37 AM PDT by Howlin (Declassify the Joe Wilson "Report!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: ~Kim4VRWC's~; ~Vor~; Trust but Verify; 1Mike; 1stMarylandRegiment; 3catsanadog; A CA Guy; ...
Ping to a thread to remind you just WHO Hugo Chavez is and who his friends are.
12 posted on 09/20/2006 10:29:27 AM PDT by Howlin (Declassify the Joe Wilson "Report!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Howlin

Thanks Howlin.


13 posted on 09/20/2006 10:31:45 AM PDT by tiredoflaundry ( The kinder we are to terrorists, the harsher we are to their potential victims.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Howlin

Thanks. Emailed it out to my list.


14 posted on 09/20/2006 10:34:58 AM PDT by hipaatwo (Vote for your life. Every vote for a Democrat is a vote against victory.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Howlin

The friends of Chavez are some of the same ones that would be leading our Congress should the democrats become the majority.... They won't but if'n they did.


15 posted on 09/20/2006 10:35:07 AM PDT by deport (The Governor, The Foghorn, The Dingaling, The Joker, some other fellar...... The Governor Wins)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
The American left's embrace of this kook should be a goldmine for the American right.


16 posted on 09/20/2006 10:36:32 AM PDT by dead (I've got my eye out for Mullah Omar.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Howlin

Thanks Howlin
(makes no difference to me)


17 posted on 09/20/2006 10:37:13 AM PDT by firewalk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Howlin





18 posted on 09/20/2006 10:40:05 AM PDT by maggief
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Howlin

Enemies both external and within bump.


19 posted on 09/20/2006 11:00:15 AM PDT by SeaBiscuit (God Bless America and All who protect and preserve this Great Nation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Howlin; StarFan; Dutchy; alisasny; BobFromNJ; BUNNY2003; Cacique; Clemenza; Coleus; cyborg; DKNY; ..

Ping to a thread to remind you just WHO Hugo Chavez is and who his friends are.

Excellent thread, Howlin. Thanks for the heads up!

20 posted on 09/20/2006 11:14:45 AM PDT by nutmeg (National security trumps everything else.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-38 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson