Venezuela Archives
Chavez seeks Ruskie Weaponry
By Charlie
Here is the latest example of Chavez buying Russian arms to attempt to protect himself from all of his perceived threats in the region:
24/07/2008 17:02 MOSCOW, July 24 (RIA Novosti) -- Venezuela may purchase man-portable air defense systems, Il-76 transport planes and T-90 tanks from Russian in the near future, a Russian political analyst said Thursday.According to unofficial reports, Russia and Venezuela signed a new framework agreement Wednesday on delivery of Russian air defense systems, tanks and military transport planes to the Latin American country.
"The new agreement, most likely, involves purchases of Igla man-portable air defense systems, Il-76MD military transport planes and T-90 main battle tanks," said Ruslan Pukhov, director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies.
While T-90 tanks may be of limited use in the mountainous jungle terrain of southern Venezuela, the AD systems may provide Caracas with some improved protection. However, it is unlikely that any of this recently purchased weaponry will directly support the FARC, as increased international scrutiny has now been applied to Venezuela.
Venezuela Calms Down
By Charlie
Whew, I was worried for a second there. I doubt Chavez really had it in him to start a real-live war -funding terrorists like the FARC is just easier. However, this incident did show Hugo Chavez's "true colors" (at least to those who hadn't been paying attention)- a terrorist-supporting Castro-wannabe who has no problem throwing his region into chaos.
Tensions EaseColombian President Alvaro Uribe, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez shook hands on March 7 and agreed to end the diplomatic conflict. Concern that fighting between the countries would break out had pushed down the peso 0.7 percent last week while Colombia's benchmark bonds dropped to their lowest since they were issued in July 2005.
So stand by for Chavez's next desperate plea for people to notice him. (tasteless joke below the fold.)
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Fire Down Below
By Charlie
Hey folks, remember South America? You know, that entire continent that we've been ignoring for the past 8 years?
Venezuela Sends Troops to Colombian Border
Venezuelan military officials say they have now sent almost 6,000 soldiers to the country's border with Colombia.The military said about 90 percent of its deployment to the border is complete. On Sunday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered ten battalions to the border following an attack by Colombian forces on FARC (the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) rebels inside Ecuador.
...
Colombia's representative to the OAS, Camilo Ospina, acknowledged that Colombian military helicopters entered Ecuador's territory last week. He apologized to Ecuador but defended the incursion.Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has accused his Venezuelan counterpart of financing and supporting the FARC.
Colombia, the United States and the European Union have labeled the FARC a terrorist group.
One of the rebels killed in the raid was Raul Reyes, a spokesman and leader of FARC.
Hmmm. State supporter of terrorism? Certainly not Hugo Chavez, Man of the People. Or not:
Seized laptop shows Chavez's rebel ties
BOGOTA, Colombia - Files in a laptop computer seized from the wreckage of a Colombian rebel camp in Ecuador offer new insights into Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's desire to undermine Colombia's U.S.-allied government If authentic, the computer files suggest Chavez has been in league with the rebels for more than a decade.They indicate that Chavez, seeking to raise the FARC's stature and relieve it of its international pariah status, shares their goal of isolating and discrediting Colombia's president, Alvaro Uribe
Wow, putting aside tactics and strategy -let's talk psychology. Now that Castro's gone, is it time for Hugo to flex his foreign policy muscles to prove he's the caretaker of the revolution? Does this hearken back to Cuba's invasion of Angola? Chavez hasn't invaded yet, so we'll see.
Put this at reason #1,438 that we need a larger military, so that we could have ample troops on hand to open up a third front if necessary.
