President Hugo Chavez announced yesterday his intention to create a new national defense plan in the wake of a recent attack near the Colombian border that left six Venezuelans dead last weekend.
"This situation marks the beginning of the concept, strategic and integral, for the defense of the nation, to fortify the military component," Chavez said last night in the Venzuela-Colombia border town of Guasdalito, in Apure State, where last week's atttack occurred.
...Chavez explained his own theory of who is behind increased conflict in Colombia and Venezuela. "From Washington they have tried to divide us." Chavez said. "They have tried to impose a war agenda on us. All of this was elaborated in Washington. Behind all of these conflicts are the large transnationals that make millions and millions selling armaments. Instead of combating poverty and hunger, they dedicate themselves to building arms so that we can kill ourselves so they can sell lots of arms," Chavez said.
...Dressed in combat uniform, Chavez explained that the new national defense plan will be humanitarian-based, in order to increase morale. "In the end it will not be the side with the most arms that wins the war, but the side with the most morale," Chavez said quoting Chinese revolutionary leader, Mao Tse Tung.
...Chavez addressed all the theories of who could have been behind the attacks, including the Colombian guerrilla, Colombian paramilitaries and a group called the Bolivarian Liberation Front (FBL) which claims to be an armed Venezuelan guerrilla troop that supports the Chavez government. To the first groups, he said they are not enemies except once they enter Venezuelan territory.
"The actors of the internal conflict in Colombia only become enemies of Venezuela when they enter our territory, paramilitaries, and guerillas from any group that enter Venezuelan territory become enemies of the state to be dealt with by an overwhelming response," Chavez said.
..."There will be no alliance with Colombia to declare war. We will join with other armies only for peace. If there will be an alliance of armies to help one human being, even if it is just one human being, we will be there for that." Chavez said.
The president said that Venezuelan troops have been sent to the Caribbean to help in disaster relief efforts and said the country’s army will continue with these humanitarian missions. "We have a team in Haiti. We will go there. But for war and more bloodshed, never." Chavez said.
article"This situation marks the beginning of the concept, strategic and integral, for the defense of the nation, to fortify the military component," Chavez said last night in the Venzuela-Colombia border town of Guasdalito, in Apure State, where last week's atttack occurred.
...Chavez explained his own theory of who is behind increased conflict in Colombia and Venezuela. "From Washington they have tried to divide us." Chavez said. "They have tried to impose a war agenda on us. All of this was elaborated in Washington. Behind all of these conflicts are the large transnationals that make millions and millions selling armaments. Instead of combating poverty and hunger, they dedicate themselves to building arms so that we can kill ourselves so they can sell lots of arms," Chavez said.
...Dressed in combat uniform, Chavez explained that the new national defense plan will be humanitarian-based, in order to increase morale. "In the end it will not be the side with the most arms that wins the war, but the side with the most morale," Chavez said quoting Chinese revolutionary leader, Mao Tse Tung.
...Chavez addressed all the theories of who could have been behind the attacks, including the Colombian guerrilla, Colombian paramilitaries and a group called the Bolivarian Liberation Front (FBL) which claims to be an armed Venezuelan guerrilla troop that supports the Chavez government. To the first groups, he said they are not enemies except once they enter Venezuelan territory.
"The actors of the internal conflict in Colombia only become enemies of Venezuela when they enter our territory, paramilitaries, and guerillas from any group that enter Venezuelan territory become enemies of the state to be dealt with by an overwhelming response," Chavez said.
..."There will be no alliance with Colombia to declare war. We will join with other armies only for peace. If there will be an alliance of armies to help one human being, even if it is just one human being, we will be there for that." Chavez said.
The president said that Venezuelan troops have been sent to the Caribbean to help in disaster relief efforts and said the country’s army will continue with these humanitarian missions. "We have a team in Haiti. We will go there. But for war and more bloodshed, never." Chavez said.
Venezuela's army doubles in Venezuela as a humanitarian group, providing community services. Kind of an interesting idea to make efforts to keep soldiers humane, whereas in other countries (who shall remain nameless) the goal is to rid soldiers of their humanity, by any means necessary.
And, by the way, I think Chavez can be permitted to dress up as a soldier when he visits the troops. He is a career military man, after all - a paratrooper before becoming El Presidente. I don't know, but I'm guessing he probably still has his commission, unless he was stripped of it during the two years he was in prison. I'd look that up for you, but time is not on my side.
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