oh this guy is pretty funny. but its not a bad political strategy so he can maintain power and popular support... at the same time its sad that our reputation has become this bad that people are readily willing to accept it. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060519/od_nm/invasion_usa_dc Venezuela stages mock foreign invasion By Ana Isabel Martinez PUNTO FIJO, Venezuela (Reuters) - 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 conducted 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 U.S. troops. The Bush administration insists the invasion paranoia is nothing more than leftist saber-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, organized and trained by military authorities, resisted the assault by blocking roads with rusting cars and burning tires. "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 simulated attack is part of a military operation called "Operation Patriot 2006" being carried out this week. PREPARING FOR A FIGHT Venezuela's government has created community organizations called "Local Defense Councils" that would provide support during a potential invasion by hiding weapons deposits, relaying messages or sabotaging water and power services. 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 U.S. thwarted his attempts to acquire American technology. On Friday, the mock invasion force is scheduled to be repelled by Venezuelans trained to defend the nation's strategic assets including oil terminals, fuel filling stations and tanker trucks. Chavez, a former paratrooper turned populist politician, is locked in a heated war of words with Washington. The 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. Chavez describes the United States as a decadent empire accustomed to having sway in Latin America, and has called Bush everything from "assassin" to "donkey." Despite U.S. criticism, 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 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."
If Bush had stayed out the whole coup business Chavez would still be saying the same thing, but I don't think he'd be getting as much traction. However, the unfortunate truth is that leaders like Chavez don't go away until they crash and burn the whole country.
Chavez is a bit paranoid, but then again he makes a living mouthing off at Washington. I guess as long as he keeps enough people happy, he'll stay in power. I seriously doubt Chavez is the do gooder he makes himself out to be, but his political strategy has been pretty successful so far.
Good to see you acknowlege the US coup business. Of course, given the long history, there is good reason for Chavez to say this. I dispute your assertion, but I am sure it is sincere.
Castro? He's trying to stay in power. Republicans are currently doing this with gay marriage. Big deal, we do military exercises on possible scenarios which are more unlikely than this.
No argument. What about him? Some crash and burn and are kicked out and some develop a strong enough security apparatus to keep themselves in power.
Well, tell it to those gay couples who will be outlaws when the constitutional amendment on marriage passes.
Hugo Chavez isn't a dictator. He was elected democractically twice I believe and he has greatly improved the overall situation in his country. And he definitely has popular support in his country. The guy is even helping out poor people in other parts of the world: http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=1337463 http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1774649,00.html http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/05/14/news/bolivia.php Since the US supported a coup against him, he would be well within his rights as the country's democratically elected leader, to take some sort of emergency powers to ensure the security of the state. I hope he continues his good job.
Actually it is more like 4 times that he was elected. But you are correct. He is far from a dictator.
It was from the article, not gwayneco's own words, but I saw that. I just thought it was unclear. I guess I should have waited until there was confusion about it before mentioning it. But I see your point. There is a difference.
That is what I am saying. I believe the article was the only thing that said it. I didn't know that gwayneco himself mentioned it.
Well I guess we can similarly say Bush is a dictator in waiting. Guys like Bush and the neocons cheapen the whole ideal of democracy. If we don't like someone, he is a dictator in waiting and you enthusiastically go along. Dictatorships that do our bidding are democracies in the making or on the road to democracy. The whole world sees through this fascade. None of the parsing or supposedly precise defintions for you on this one. Doesn't matter how many elections he wins or what percentage of the population support him, he isn't doing the neocon bidding so he is a dictator in waiting.
Why are we hanging on every word uttered by Chavez? He's a smart politician, he's doing a little bit of political posturing to reenergize his political supporters at home and position himself as the 'voice against Imperial America' in Latin America. He envisions himself as not just a Venezuelan leader, but the leader of a 'revolution' against America's hegemony in the hemisphere. His target audience is NOT America, it's everyone else...
