Apparently those FARC laptops had alot of info on them, including letters on behalf of Democratic Congressman McGovern of Massachussetts.
The plot thickens!!!
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
What happened in Ecuador
Check this article out! Interesting. What happened when Raul Reyes was killed.
UPDATE #1: Brazilian President Lula calls Chavez a peace-maker. He was referencing the whole debacle surrounding the bombing of FARC leader Raul Reyes by the Colombian military in Ecuadorian territory.
Of course, this is coming Xinhua newspaper in China (don't they have enough to cover with the uprisings over there), but if Lula really said that Chavez was the peacemaker in that whole fiasco, then he is smokin' wacky tobacky, partaking some of Evo Morales' coca-paste/leaves, was on a deserted island when Chavez escalated things by sending troops to the border, was asleep at the wheel when Uribe made the overture to Correa and Chavez at the Rio Group, or is just plain clueless.
UPDATE #2: From The Devil's Excrement, something is happening with the info found on those laptops. I agree with the author that something strange is up, especially in light of Lula's statement above. Could Brazil be tied into this whole thing too?
UPDATE #1: Brazilian President Lula calls Chavez a peace-maker. He was referencing the whole debacle surrounding the bombing of FARC leader Raul Reyes by the Colombian military in Ecuadorian territory.
Of course, this is coming Xinhua newspaper in China (don't they have enough to cover with the uprisings over there), but if Lula really said that Chavez was the peacemaker in that whole fiasco, then he is smokin' wacky tobacky, partaking some of Evo Morales' coca-paste/leaves, was on a deserted island when Chavez escalated things by sending troops to the border, was asleep at the wheel when Uribe made the overture to Correa and Chavez at the Rio Group, or is just plain clueless.
UPDATE #2: From The Devil's Excrement, something is happening with the info found on those laptops. I agree with the author that something strange is up, especially in light of Lula's statement above. Could Brazil be tied into this whole thing too?
Chavez concerned about Colombian claims
Chavez is now trying to distance himself from the FARC, now that his little escapades have been discovered from that maldito laptops found in the FARC camp in Ecuador.
He expressed concerns over Colombia repeating the accusations of his and Correa's connections to the FARC. He said that making the data on the computers public was a form of 'provocation'.
Hugo, the only way that making that data public is a provocation is if it is in fact TRUE!!! If it isn't true, then it's not a provocation, but a fabrication.
And of course, the last sentence in the article eludes once again to the imperialist US. (Can someone please fix that broken record already?)
UPDATE: From The Devil's Excrement blog: Colombian authorities recover depleted Uranium in the hands of the FARC as described in Reyes' computer.
Uh oh.... Looks like some of what was found on those laptops in the possession of Raul Reyes is true. What's that deodorant commercial? Never let them see you sweat? I think Chavez could use some of that right about now.
He expressed concerns over Colombia repeating the accusations of his and Correa's connections to the FARC. He said that making the data on the computers public was a form of 'provocation'.
Hugo, the only way that making that data public is a provocation is if it is in fact TRUE!!! If it isn't true, then it's not a provocation, but a fabrication.
And of course, the last sentence in the article eludes once again to the imperialist US. (Can someone please fix that broken record already?)
UPDATE: From The Devil's Excrement blog: Colombian authorities recover depleted Uranium in the hands of the FARC as described in Reyes' computer.
Uh oh.... Looks like some of what was found on those laptops in the possession of Raul Reyes is true. What's that deodorant commercial? Never let them see you sweat? I think Chavez could use some of that right about now.
Chavez' Land Reform
Apparently, socialism doesn't run in the Chavez' family genes. A member of Hugo Chavez own party is bringing accusations against Chavez' brothers for acquiring 17 ranches via frontmen.
Is this an indication that even his own party is starting to turn against him?
Will be interesting to see what happens.
UPDATE: Here is a little more insight into what is playing out in Barinas and the accusations made against Chavez' family and their land grab. Title of the blog entry is Looking at the forest and the trees in the Barinas soap opera.
Is this an indication that even his own party is starting to turn against him?
Will be interesting to see what happens.
UPDATE: Here is a little more insight into what is playing out in Barinas and the accusations made against Chavez' family and their land grab. Title of the blog entry is Looking at the forest and the trees in the Barinas soap opera.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Chavez on McCain
Chavez says that McCain is even more hawkish than GW. I'm not sure that is entirely true. Sure, McCain is a supporter of the Iraq war, as he feels the US needs to do everything possible for our men and women in uniform that find themselves in harms way.
The article points out that Chavez states he had better relations with the Clinton administration than the Bush administration. I would suspect the reason for that is that his early years as President were Clinton's final years, and Chavez hadn't quite been emboldened yet by the increase in oil prices. He didn't have the oil chip to play against the US, and he hadn't fired up the rhetoric we see today. I don't think Clinton would put up with Chavez' view of the US if he were President today.
It will be interesting to see the relationship change, if any, after the new President comes to power.
The article points out that Chavez states he had better relations with the Clinton administration than the Bush administration. I would suspect the reason for that is that his early years as President were Clinton's final years, and Chavez hadn't quite been emboldened yet by the increase in oil prices. He didn't have the oil chip to play against the US, and he hadn't fired up the rhetoric we see today. I don't think Clinton would put up with Chavez' view of the US if he were President today.
It will be interesting to see the relationship change, if any, after the new President comes to power.
Monday, March 24, 2008
U.S. to blame for unrest in Tibet.
According to El Burro, the U.S. is to blame for the unrest that is happening in Tibet.
Wow.... Not content to meddle in affairs only on his own continent, now Chavez wants to throw his two cents into what is going on in China.
Of course, as usual, nothing to back up his accusations.
Notice he doesn't condemn the violence used by China to put down the protests.
Wow.... Not content to meddle in affairs only on his own continent, now Chavez wants to throw his two cents into what is going on in China.
Of course, as usual, nothing to back up his accusations.
Notice he doesn't condemn the violence used by China to put down the protests.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
President forever or Jailbird
According to one Venezuelan intellectual, those are Chavez' alternatives if he decides to keep going down the road of sponsoring the FARC.
Aníbal Romero deduces that if the US does designate Venezuela as a terrorist-sponsoring state, the economic repercussions would be tremendous and that the US Justice Department would go after Chavez himself.
This is the first I've heard of that possibility - why haven't we gone after the President of Iran? Or Kim Yung Il (is that his name?). I'm not sure how plausible Mr. Romero's suppositions are on the US Justice Department indicting Chavez, but it's an interesting theory.
I did find interesting Mr. Romero's conclusions as to why Chavez backed down at the Rio Summit group meeting and left Correa flapping in the wind. (Political kudos go to Uribe in sizing up the situation and extending his hand to Correa on that one. He saw a chance to step into the tiny little crack between Chavez and Correa and took it. Makes sense since Correa wasn't really pushing things until Chavez stepped in and started spouting off and commanding troops to the border.)
What I find particularly interesting is the supposition that the Venezuelan Army wasn't really wanting to get into a fight with their Colombian counterparts. Could it be that the military's patience is wearing thin with Chavez? Even if Chavez controls the upper ranks, he may not have the loyalty of the rank and file troops and even mid-level officers. (Poetic justice if a coup were to be launched by a Lt. Colonel paratrooper!!!!) Maybe they are tired of being his day laborer's for his social agenda.
Good article from El Universal (maybe the next media outlet in Venezuela on the chopping block?).
Aníbal Romero deduces that if the US does designate Venezuela as a terrorist-sponsoring state, the economic repercussions would be tremendous and that the US Justice Department would go after Chavez himself.
This is the first I've heard of that possibility - why haven't we gone after the President of Iran? Or Kim Yung Il (is that his name?). I'm not sure how plausible Mr. Romero's suppositions are on the US Justice Department indicting Chavez, but it's an interesting theory.
I did find interesting Mr. Romero's conclusions as to why Chavez backed down at the Rio Summit group meeting and left Correa flapping in the wind. (Political kudos go to Uribe in sizing up the situation and extending his hand to Correa on that one. He saw a chance to step into the tiny little crack between Chavez and Correa and took it. Makes sense since Correa wasn't really pushing things until Chavez stepped in and started spouting off and commanding troops to the border.)
What I find particularly interesting is the supposition that the Venezuelan Army wasn't really wanting to get into a fight with their Colombian counterparts. Could it be that the military's patience is wearing thin with Chavez? Even if Chavez controls the upper ranks, he may not have the loyalty of the rank and file troops and even mid-level officers. (Poetic justice if a coup were to be launched by a Lt. Colonel paratrooper!!!!) Maybe they are tired of being his day laborer's for his social agenda.
Good article from El Universal (maybe the next media outlet in Venezuela on the chopping block?).
PDVSA troubles
I've posted other articles here indicating that PDVSA, Venezuela's national oil company, is in dire straights. They aren't producing their daily quota under OPEC, and their coffers are being appropriated by Chavez for his socialist agenda.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has a good article giving further detail on how badly things are going for PDVSA.
The article mentions the affect of the massive layoff imposed on PDVSA by Chavez after the huelga that shut down the oil fields for quite some time. What the article doesn't really go into is the affect that the forced nationalization has had on the oil industry. Those foreign companies, such as ExxonMobil and TexacoChevron, were investing heavily in the oil fields themselves, and keeping them producing. (The crux of the ExxonMobil lawsuits have been that Venezuela hasn't compensated them adequately for the billions of dollars they put into the oil fields in Venezuela.)
Chavez mistake was to nationalize the oil industry, at the point of a gun, and scare away foreign investment in the oil fields. He could have had his cake and eaten it too, simply by taking the increased profits (from assumed increased output) and invested them in his social programs.
Instead, in an effort to whip up public support against GW and the Empire, he took back the oil fields for himself. Yeah, greed had something to do with it - why share the profits when you can have them all for yourself? But I think Chavez thinks with his political ego than with his practical brain. (Doesn't take a genius to see that.) I would bet, looking back with hindsight, he sees now that he did a really stupid thing. Of course, he'd never admit it - just blame the US for everything.
The fuel for Chavez' 21st century socialism is quickly burning up, and he's the one who lit the match.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has a good article giving further detail on how badly things are going for PDVSA.
The article mentions the affect of the massive layoff imposed on PDVSA by Chavez after the huelga that shut down the oil fields for quite some time. What the article doesn't really go into is the affect that the forced nationalization has had on the oil industry. Those foreign companies, such as ExxonMobil and TexacoChevron, were investing heavily in the oil fields themselves, and keeping them producing. (The crux of the ExxonMobil lawsuits have been that Venezuela hasn't compensated them adequately for the billions of dollars they put into the oil fields in Venezuela.)
Chavez mistake was to nationalize the oil industry, at the point of a gun, and scare away foreign investment in the oil fields. He could have had his cake and eaten it too, simply by taking the increased profits (from assumed increased output) and invested them in his social programs.
Instead, in an effort to whip up public support against GW and the Empire, he took back the oil fields for himself. Yeah, greed had something to do with it - why share the profits when you can have them all for yourself? But I think Chavez thinks with his political ego than with his practical brain. (Doesn't take a genius to see that.) I would bet, looking back with hindsight, he sees now that he did a really stupid thing. Of course, he'd never admit it - just blame the US for everything.
The fuel for Chavez' 21st century socialism is quickly burning up, and he's the one who lit the match.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Great analysis of Chavez dependence on oil
This article is a great analysis of why Chavez wouldn't cut off oil supplies to the US. The author obviously has a better sense of the numbers and economics of why it would be stupid for Chavez to make good on his threat. But it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that the US wouldn't miss their number 4 oil supplier (in the 10% ballpark I think?).
He makes an argument about becoming energy independent that makes some sense, but I would disagree with him slightly in this regard. The US needs to be energy independent from ALL foreign sources of oil, not just Venezuela. If we were energy independent, we would gain the economic and political advantage over those countries who now hold our economy by the purse strings.
Oil makes this country work, and we have become unashamedly dependent on it. Unfortunately, we're also sitting on billions of barrels of it ourselves that we won't tap because some nearly extinct wild life. Yet we have no problems buying oil from people who don't care about the environment, and are more than willing to take our money.
No one need look too far to see who the growing economic powers in this world are: Dubai helps prop up major financial institutions in the US, and so does China. Sure, both of these countries would be devastated if the US economy were to take a dive, but the fact that they can prop up companies to the tune of billions of dollars? Not such a good thing.
(Okay, China doesn't produce oil - yet - but we've become so dependent on their cheap products - thank you Wal-mart - that they have billions of dollars to do with as the wish.)
He makes an argument about becoming energy independent that makes some sense, but I would disagree with him slightly in this regard. The US needs to be energy independent from ALL foreign sources of oil, not just Venezuela. If we were energy independent, we would gain the economic and political advantage over those countries who now hold our economy by the purse strings.
Oil makes this country work, and we have become unashamedly dependent on it. Unfortunately, we're also sitting on billions of barrels of it ourselves that we won't tap because some nearly extinct wild life. Yet we have no problems buying oil from people who don't care about the environment, and are more than willing to take our money.
No one need look too far to see who the growing economic powers in this world are: Dubai helps prop up major financial institutions in the US, and so does China. Sure, both of these countries would be devastated if the US economy were to take a dive, but the fact that they can prop up companies to the tune of billions of dollars? Not such a good thing.
(Okay, China doesn't produce oil - yet - but we've become so dependent on their cheap products - thank you Wal-mart - that they have billions of dollars to do with as the wish.)
Globovision next in the crosshairs
According to the Miami Herald, Chavez is looking to take news channel Globovision off the air.
After revoking Radio Caracas TV's license, Chavez looks to do the same to Globovision.
Read the article to find out why Chavez may not take Globovision off the air. a) it only has about a 10% market share because it's on TV, b) Chavez can claim freedom of the press while they are on the air, c) Chavez can use them as a foil to whip up hate within his loyalist ranks.
After revoking Radio Caracas TV's license, Chavez looks to do the same to Globovision.
Read the article to find out why Chavez may not take Globovision off the air. a) it only has about a 10% market share because it's on TV, b) Chavez can claim freedom of the press while they are on the air, c) Chavez can use them as a foil to whip up hate within his loyalist ranks.
Chavez on the decline
I'll juxtapose my last post with this article from Reuters, which indicates that Chavez popularity is on the decline in Venezuela because while he's off spewing rhetoric an blaming everyone but himself for the problems in Venezuela, things are getting worse.
Note that the Venezuelan expert quoted, Daniel Hellinger, is a noted Chavez apologist. So if he's saying things are bad, things must be really bad!!! (Besides the anecdotal evidence that food stuffs are hard to come by, along with other essentials like propane gas.)
Note that the Venezuelan expert quoted, Daniel Hellinger, is a noted Chavez apologist. So if he's saying things are bad, things must be really bad!!! (Besides the anecdotal evidence that food stuffs are hard to come by, along with other essentials like propane gas.)
Wow...
Poll indicates that 56 percent of Venezuelans think Chavez played a key role in DIFFUSING TENSIONS during the recent political spat between Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
The poll was conducted by Veneop SA.
I'd like to know how that poll question was worded exactly, and if there was a follow-up question to find out if these same Venezuelans thought Chavez played a key role in CREATING TENSIONS between Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.
From reading accounts of the situation, he definitely played a key role in that regard. If it weren't for him, chances are that Correa wouldn't have gotten into such a huff. Chavez was the gentle breeze that faned that fire into a bigger international incident than it needed to be. Without Chavez' encouragement, Correa would have come to a reconciliation quicker and more quietly.
And from all accounts, at the Rio Group summit in the Dominican Republic, it was the president of the Dominican Republic that helped defuse the situation, along with Colombian President Uribe. While Chavez ordered troops to the border with Colombia, Uribe promised NOT to move troops in response. Furthermore, Uribe was the one who made the overture to Correa by walking over to him during the summit after heated words and accusations were exchanged and offered his hand in reconciliation.
So I'm not sure Veneop was polling, or where these people got their news, but that poll is way off the mark from the reality of the situation. Chavez stuck his nose in where it didn't need to be, and caused the problem to begin with.
The poll was conducted by Veneop SA.
I'd like to know how that poll question was worded exactly, and if there was a follow-up question to find out if these same Venezuelans thought Chavez played a key role in CREATING TENSIONS between Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.
From reading accounts of the situation, he definitely played a key role in that regard. If it weren't for him, chances are that Correa wouldn't have gotten into such a huff. Chavez was the gentle breeze that faned that fire into a bigger international incident than it needed to be. Without Chavez' encouragement, Correa would have come to a reconciliation quicker and more quietly.
And from all accounts, at the Rio Group summit in the Dominican Republic, it was the president of the Dominican Republic that helped defuse the situation, along with Colombian President Uribe. While Chavez ordered troops to the border with Colombia, Uribe promised NOT to move troops in response. Furthermore, Uribe was the one who made the overture to Correa by walking over to him during the summit after heated words and accusations were exchanged and offered his hand in reconciliation.
So I'm not sure Veneop was polling, or where these people got their news, but that poll is way off the mark from the reality of the situation. Chavez stuck his nose in where it didn't need to be, and caused the problem to begin with.
More Venezuela and Peru
Here's an opinion piece by Andres Oppenheimer on what's going on in Peru regarding Venezuelan ties. It gives a better picture of what Peru has uncovered, and how they are going about investigating the links with Venezuela.
FARC denies links to Chavez and Correa
Taking a queue from their close friend Chavez, the FARC deny any links with the Venezuelan and Ecuadorian governments. Go figure. You'd expect them to just capitulate after 40 years, and give up all the good drug and ransom money that is supporting their 'war'? I didn't think so.
Interesting that the FARCs statements are reported on the Venezuelan Information Minsitries web site. If you were going to plead innocent, you would go to a neutral party so as to make sure that your statement was sincere.
Note to the FARC: all it takes is the hard drive to be in semi-working order for information to be retrieved off of it. I'm sure that if the hard drive wasn't completely trashed, Interpol is doing its level best to retrieve the little bits and bytes that are on there.
And also, we have no idea where those laptops were found in the camp. They may have been well protected, not just lying out and about.
Interesting that the FARCs statements are reported on the Venezuelan Information Minsitries web site. If you were going to plead innocent, you would go to a neutral party so as to make sure that your statement was sincere.
Note to the FARC: all it takes is the hard drive to be in semi-working order for information to be retrieved off of it. I'm sure that if the hard drive wasn't completely trashed, Interpol is doing its level best to retrieve the little bits and bytes that are on there.
And also, we have no idea where those laptops were found in the camp. They may have been well protected, not just lying out and about.
Chavez Insane?
Apparently, Accion Democratica is going to file a petition to have Chavez mental status examined.
It's about time. This man has been acting about as irrationally as anyone can, although for a very good purpose which is to draw attention away from all that is going wrong in Venezuela.
Not sure what AD thinks they are going to accomplish since the courts aren't neutral in Venezuela, but it's a bold move.
It's about time. This man has been acting about as irrationally as anyone can, although for a very good purpose which is to draw attention away from all that is going wrong in Venezuela.
Not sure what AD thinks they are going to accomplish since the courts aren't neutral in Venezuela, but it's a bold move.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The movimiento estudiantil in Venezuela
Good piece from the Wall Street Journal on the leader of the student movement in Venezuela.
I watched this guy on the Globovision web site during the referendum in Dec. '07. He seems to be a genuine person, not out for grabbing power. We'll see.....
I watched this guy on the Globovision web site during the referendum in Dec. '07. He seems to be a genuine person, not out for grabbing power. We'll see.....
Monday, March 17, 2008
Peruvian link to Chavez
Lo and behold, I found the article on the arrest of the two Peruvians carrying $150,000 into the country.
Note, the amount of cash is $150K, not $150 million as previously reported.
Note, the amount of cash is $150K, not $150 million as previously reported.
The creeping vines of Chavez' socialism
You know that pesky vine that grows on your trees that acts as a parasite? It grows so slowly, but one day you look out your window and all of a sudden you see the tree has succumbed to the parasitic vine.
Chavez is attempting to be that parasitic vine wrapping around the whole of South America. His next victim is Peru. Apparently, Peruvians sympathetic to Chavez' cause are using 'Houses of ALBA' to indoctrinate fellow Peruvians. Thankfully, the Peruvian government smells El Burro coming, and is on the alert.
In the first article there was mention of an arrest of two Peruvians attempting to bring in $150 million into Peru in support of those opposed to the Peruvian government. I attempted to find other articles on the arrest, but couldn't. Would love to know more about that.
Chavez is attempting to be that parasitic vine wrapping around the whole of South America. His next victim is Peru. Apparently, Peruvians sympathetic to Chavez' cause are using 'Houses of ALBA' to indoctrinate fellow Peruvians. Thankfully, the Peruvian government smells El Burro coming, and is on the alert.
In the first article there was mention of an arrest of two Peruvians attempting to bring in $150 million into Peru in support of those opposed to the Peruvian government. I attempted to find other articles on the arrest, but couldn't. Would love to know more about that.
Unfortuantely, I'd have to agree...
The Bush administration should NOT put Venezuela on the terrorist sponsoring state list right now.
I agree with Mr. Oppenheimer's theory that doing so at this time would just give Chavez more ammunition for rhetoric to bolster his sagging popularity in Venezuela.
Wait until the data on the laptops can be validated, and yes Mr. Chavez these things can be forensically verified and validated as authentic, and when the truth is validated about Chavez' and Correa's connection to the FARC proceed with putting Venezuela and Ecuador on the terrorist sponsoring list.
At that point in time, chances are only the hardcore Chavistas will still back Chavez. $300 million in support of FARC when you're own country is experiencing high levels of crime and shortages in foodstuffs won't sit too well with the majority of Venezuelans.
I agree with Mr. Oppenheimer's theory that doing so at this time would just give Chavez more ammunition for rhetoric to bolster his sagging popularity in Venezuela.
Wait until the data on the laptops can be validated, and yes Mr. Chavez these things can be forensically verified and validated as authentic, and when the truth is validated about Chavez' and Correa's connection to the FARC proceed with putting Venezuela and Ecuador on the terrorist sponsoring list.
At that point in time, chances are only the hardcore Chavistas will still back Chavez. $300 million in support of FARC when you're own country is experiencing high levels of crime and shortages in foodstuffs won't sit too well with the majority of Venezuelans.
You're kidding me right?
Chavez accuses Bush of being a genocidal terrorist.
Chavez must be making reference to the war in Iraq in making his claim. This isn't a new claim by Chavez. The famous 'you are a donkey Mr. Bush' clip from his one man show, Chavez calls Bush a 'genocida'.
The part that gets me is the following quote from Chavez:
Eres mentiroso Senor Chavez!
Chavez must be making reference to the war in Iraq in making his claim. This isn't a new claim by Chavez. The famous 'you are a donkey Mr. Bush' clip from his one man show, Chavez calls Bush a 'genocida'.
The part that gets me is the following quote from Chavez:
"Venezuela's people today are better fed than ever."Really? Not according to first hand reports from Venezuela, where propane gas is in shortage, and staples such as harina pan, milk, etc. are in shortage. Deny, deny, deny, deny.
Eres mentiroso Senor Chavez!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Terrorist Sponsoring State Designation
As I've stated before, and is relatively obvious, the US silently supports Chavez and his regime and agenda via the oil market. The US buys crude oil from Venezuela, and Venezuela in turn uses that money for various things, including weapon purchases from Russia, along with money funneled to the FARC, and other nefarious corruption schemes.
Even the US Navy has a contract with Citgo to sell gasoline on Naval bases. Citgo used to be Cities Services, and was bought out in the '90s by PDVSA, which is the state-run oil company of Venezuela. The contract runs through 2010.
As the article points out, there has been a call in the US to designate Venezuela as a terrorist sponsoring state due to links with the FARC - a designated terrorist organization by all of the world. This would curtail business transactions, including oil sales, between Venezuela and the US and other countries who adhere to the financial embargoes on countries thus designated. It would allow the US to get out of this sticky contract with Citgo.
Chavez in the past has threatened to cut off it's oil supply to the US for various reasons; this being his only trump card to play in his one-sided war of words with the US and particularly the Bush administration.
The fact that the US State Department hasn't come out and specifically said it wouldn't designate Venezuela as a terrorist-sponsoring state leaves me with the feeling that the Bush administration is calling Chavez' bluff on his threat. The idea being that there is more at stake for Venezuela than for the US. I've not heard any pundits back up this theory, but it struck me as I read the article.
Could be interesting.....
Even the US Navy has a contract with Citgo to sell gasoline on Naval bases. Citgo used to be Cities Services, and was bought out in the '90s by PDVSA, which is the state-run oil company of Venezuela. The contract runs through 2010.
As the article points out, there has been a call in the US to designate Venezuela as a terrorist sponsoring state due to links with the FARC - a designated terrorist organization by all of the world. This would curtail business transactions, including oil sales, between Venezuela and the US and other countries who adhere to the financial embargoes on countries thus designated. It would allow the US to get out of this sticky contract with Citgo.
Chavez in the past has threatened to cut off it's oil supply to the US for various reasons; this being his only trump card to play in his one-sided war of words with the US and particularly the Bush administration.
The fact that the US State Department hasn't come out and specifically said it wouldn't designate Venezuela as a terrorist-sponsoring state leaves me with the feeling that the Bush administration is calling Chavez' bluff on his threat. The idea being that there is more at stake for Venezuela than for the US. I've not heard any pundits back up this theory, but it struck me as I read the article.
Could be interesting.....
Cocaine seized in Venezuela, go figure....
There is cocaine flowing through Venezuela. Police seize 3 tons of the stuff in Valencia.
So the question I have is; if 3 tons of the stuff are found, how much is getting through? Call me skeptical, but I bet this is the sacrificial load to ensure the world that Chavez isn't in cahoots with the FARC in trafficking their drugs.
So the question I have is; if 3 tons of the stuff are found, how much is getting through? Call me skeptical, but I bet this is the sacrificial load to ensure the world that Chavez isn't in cahoots with the FARC in trafficking their drugs.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Contrast between neighbors
The recent tit-for-tat episode between Venezuela and Colombia brought to the forefront the military capabilities of both countries.
Each side as their strengths and weaknesses. Venezuela has far less troops than Colombia, and Venezuelan troops aren't well trained. On the other hand, Venezuela has more fire power (more artillery, bigger and better aircraft, and tanks). The Colombian Army doesn't have tanks due to the nature of where they operate: mainly in the Andes mountains and jungles, neither place conducive to using tanks, but has been engaged in an on-going war with the likes of the FARC and ELN for the past 40 years. Venezuelan troops have been acting in more humanitarian capacity (by design).
Venezuela is gearing up a militia to defend the homeland in case of an invasion. If you believe Chavez' rhetoric, the US is just chomping on the bit to come and invade his country. As the article also points out, this militia acts as means to rescue Chavez in case of another attempted coup; the last one supported by commanding officers in Venezuela's military.
I would agree with the first article's assessment that Chavez wouldn't be the one to push Venezuela into a war. While he isn't the brightest bulb in the bunch, he's not stupid enough to go against a military force that is bigger and better prepared than his.
The real concern with the ramping up of militias in Venezuela is what will happen when Chavez is defeated in the next election. While that election is in 2012, events may transpire between now and then that bring about the fall of Mr. Chavez term as president. While Chavez' popularity is on the decline in Venezuela, there remains a small stalwart segment of supporters (those that Chavez was supposed to help, but who aren't much better off now than they were before other than they now have weapons to help them express their pent up anger) ready to defend him and fight for him.
At that point, the concern would be that these civilian militias step in, and all out civil war will ensue. That's the point at which the world will find out where the loyalties of the Venezuelan army lie, and if the opposition to Chavez has been able to arm itself as well.
So the powder keg is really Venezuela itself and it's being fueled by petrodollars, and Chavez rhetoric.
Each side as their strengths and weaknesses. Venezuela has far less troops than Colombia, and Venezuelan troops aren't well trained. On the other hand, Venezuela has more fire power (more artillery, bigger and better aircraft, and tanks). The Colombian Army doesn't have tanks due to the nature of where they operate: mainly in the Andes mountains and jungles, neither place conducive to using tanks, but has been engaged in an on-going war with the likes of the FARC and ELN for the past 40 years. Venezuelan troops have been acting in more humanitarian capacity (by design).
Venezuela is gearing up a militia to defend the homeland in case of an invasion. If you believe Chavez' rhetoric, the US is just chomping on the bit to come and invade his country. As the article also points out, this militia acts as means to rescue Chavez in case of another attempted coup; the last one supported by commanding officers in Venezuela's military.
I would agree with the first article's assessment that Chavez wouldn't be the one to push Venezuela into a war. While he isn't the brightest bulb in the bunch, he's not stupid enough to go against a military force that is bigger and better prepared than his.
The real concern with the ramping up of militias in Venezuela is what will happen when Chavez is defeated in the next election. While that election is in 2012, events may transpire between now and then that bring about the fall of Mr. Chavez term as president. While Chavez' popularity is on the decline in Venezuela, there remains a small stalwart segment of supporters (those that Chavez was supposed to help, but who aren't much better off now than they were before other than they now have weapons to help them express their pent up anger) ready to defend him and fight for him.
At that point, the concern would be that these civilian militias step in, and all out civil war will ensue. That's the point at which the world will find out where the loyalties of the Venezuelan army lie, and if the opposition to Chavez has been able to arm itself as well.
So the powder keg is really Venezuela itself and it's being fueled by petrodollars, and Chavez rhetoric.
Friday, March 14, 2008
FARC - Venezuelan sponsored terrorism
Members of the US Congress are asking the US State Department to put Venezuela on the list of nations that support terrorism.
Of course, Chavez response is to go into his 'imperialism' speech. He'll never answer the question as to whether Venezuela aids and abets the FARC or ELN. Nope, just blaming the hand that feeds him.
Unfortunately, this just feeds into his ability to divert attention from the real problems in Venezuela. It gives him one more piece of coal to stoke the fires of anti-US sentiment among his now dwindling supporters.
I don't think the American lawmakers understand that the best way to keep Chavez quiet is to ignore him. He's a bag of hot air that is all bluff and bluster, and no bite. (Just look to the incident with Colombia for further evidence of that point.) Just as Venezuela depends on Colombia for imports, Venezuela (and Chavez' corrupted cronies) depends on the US for the oil dollars.
I don't think GW and his administration stay up at night worrying about Chavez, as where Chavez and his cronies seem to be in a tizzy about the US.
Of course, Chavez response is to go into his 'imperialism' speech. He'll never answer the question as to whether Venezuela aids and abets the FARC or ELN. Nope, just blaming the hand that feeds him.
Unfortunately, this just feeds into his ability to divert attention from the real problems in Venezuela. It gives him one more piece of coal to stoke the fires of anti-US sentiment among his now dwindling supporters.
I don't think the American lawmakers understand that the best way to keep Chavez quiet is to ignore him. He's a bag of hot air that is all bluff and bluster, and no bite. (Just look to the incident with Colombia for further evidence of that point.) Just as Venezuela depends on Colombia for imports, Venezuela (and Chavez' corrupted cronies) depends on the US for the oil dollars.
I don't think GW and his administration stay up at night worrying about Chavez, as where Chavez and his cronies seem to be in a tizzy about the US.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Good analysis from The Guardian....
Even though they've been partial to Chavez in the past.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/08/colombia.venezuela
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/08/colombia.venezuela
Good news...
Not that the death of anyone is good news, but it doesn't hurt that it's #4 FARC leader Ivan Rios. And killed by his own security chief. Maybe things are turning? Marulanda, watch your back.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aEeWlqGo0GbU&refer=latin_america
Hopefully the US and Colombia will pay the bounty on Rios' and that will cause other's to be encouraged to do the same to #1 on down.
Also, there is speculation as to why Chavez and Correa backed down so quickly at the Rio Group Summit. Could it be that Uribe is a brilliant poker player and didn't show all of his cards when he released the emails from the retrieved laptops?
And the capture of a big arms dealer in Thailand is being linked to the info on the computers as well.
Not a good week for Correa or Chavez, who I'm sure thought things would be in a different place at this point. Now Chavez and Correa will have to deal with the real issues at home: natural disastes in Ecuador and Chavez disasters in Venezuela.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aEeWlqGo0GbU&refer=latin_america
Hopefully the US and Colombia will pay the bounty on Rios' and that will cause other's to be encouraged to do the same to #1 on down.
Also, there is speculation as to why Chavez and Correa backed down so quickly at the Rio Group Summit. Could it be that Uribe is a brilliant poker player and didn't show all of his cards when he released the emails from the retrieved laptops?
And the capture of a big arms dealer in Thailand is being linked to the info on the computers as well.
Not a good week for Correa or Chavez, who I'm sure thought things would be in a different place at this point. Now Chavez and Correa will have to deal with the real issues at home: natural disastes in Ecuador and Chavez disasters in Venezuela.
Friday, March 7, 2008
I've been looking for this clip
This is HILARIOUS!!!!!!!
The explanation of why Venezuela changed the time forward or backward or forward or you figure it out!!!!
The explanation of why Venezuela changed the time forward or backward or forward or you figure it out!!!!
It could get ugly....
http://www.world-check.com/articles/2008/03/02/yet-another-high-risk-indicator-venezuela-surfaces/
Article about shipments of weapons from Brazil to Venezuela, delivered directly to Miraflores. He ain't goin' quietly folks. Maybe the real revolution will take place to oust Chavez and his cronies and re-establish order in Venezuela.
FYI - I have no background on the author, or the web site the article comes from.
Article about shipments of weapons from Brazil to Venezuela, delivered directly to Miraflores. He ain't goin' quietly folks. Maybe the real revolution will take place to oust Chavez and his cronies and re-establish order in Venezuela.
FYI - I have no background on the author, or the web site the article comes from.
Quite an accusation - El Burro lavando dinero
http://www.world-check.com/articles/2008/02/26/us-go-after-billions-laundered-venezuelan-money/
The article articulates a discovery by the US Treasury of the government of Venezuela laundering money for terrorist organizations. Could be interesting.
The article articulates a discovery by the US Treasury of the government of Venezuela laundering money for terrorist organizations. Could be interesting.
Llanera.com - Great music!!!
Go to http://www.llanera.com/emisora/ if you like good llanera music (harp, cuatro, guitar, maracas).
This transports me back to Ciudad Bolivar, and travelling up and down the Orinoco River.
The twist is that alot of the music is political in the lyrics, surprisingly enough against Chavez from what I can tell.
Of all Latin music, I think Venezuela has the best.
This transports me back to Ciudad Bolivar, and travelling up and down the Orinoco River.
The twist is that alot of the music is political in the lyrics, surprisingly enough against Chavez from what I can tell.
Of all Latin music, I think Venezuela has the best.
What about kidnapped Venezuelans?
Chavez, in his effort to grab international headlines, has forgotten that Veneuelans are in the mix of FARC and ELN hostages.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0215/p04s01-woam.html?page=1
How sad that Chavez forgets his own people.
Of course murdering and crime is bad enough in Venezuela and he's not done a thing about that. I guess this is on his laundry list of 'to dos', just at the bottom.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0215/p04s01-woam.html?page=1
How sad that Chavez forgets his own people.
Of course murdering and crime is bad enough in Venezuela and he's not done a thing about that. I guess this is on his laundry list of 'to dos', just at the bottom.
Kiss and make up
Correa and Uribe made up in the Dominican at the Rio Group summit.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7284597.stm
Uribe rolled the dice and won. As the article states, he knew it would be a gamble, but didn't think his neighbor to the East would stick his big nose into. (What Uribe forgot is that El Burro is scared Colombia will do the same thing on Venezuelan soil and it will even further prove that El Burro is a liar.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7284597.stm
Uribe rolled the dice and won. As the article states, he knew it would be a gamble, but didn't think his neighbor to the East would stick his big nose into. (What Uribe forgot is that El Burro is scared Colombia will do the same thing on Venezuelan soil and it will even further prove that El Burro is a liar.)
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Why Chavez deflects attention from what is happening in Venezuela
The Christian Science Monitor has a great piece on Chavez' waning popularity in Venezuela.
Hopefully this is a sign of things to come in Venezuela. The question on my mind, as voiced in other articles I've read, is will Chavez and his supporters go quietly when he is defeated? And whose side is the military on? The answer to that question may ultimately decide the fate of Chavez' movement.
Hopefully this is a sign of things to come in Venezuela. The question on my mind, as voiced in other articles I've read, is will Chavez and his supporters go quietly when he is defeated? And whose side is the military on? The answer to that question may ultimately decide the fate of Chavez' movement.
Este Video dedicado al Burro Chavez
Okay, every time I've watched Chavez talk out of both sides of his mouth (see the blog entry below), I ALWAYS think of this song!!!!
This is a VERY updated version of the song that I can remember as a kid being played all throughout Venezuela. When we lived in Ciudad Bolivar, our neighbors (about 100 yards away) used to crank this song, and my older brother would start singing it at the top of his lungs.
And yes, the gender of the song doesn't quite fit dedicating it to a man, but I can't help but think of this song when I hear Chavez speak.
Este video is para ti, mi Teniente Coronel Burro!!!!!!
This is a VERY updated version of the song that I can remember as a kid being played all throughout Venezuela. When we lived in Ciudad Bolivar, our neighbors (about 100 yards away) used to crank this song, and my older brother would start singing it at the top of his lungs.
And yes, the gender of the song doesn't quite fit dedicating it to a man, but I can't help but think of this song when I hear Chavez speak.
Este video is para ti, mi Teniente Coronel Burro!!!!!!
Who's the liar?
Chavez and Correa accuse Uribe of lying. I guess Chavez' memory is going bad from the coca that he's chewing.
Thanks to The Source.
Thanks to The Source.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
War on Imperialist language
I forgot about El Burro's decree to wipe out English for everyday usage in Venezuela. I don't have the original article, but here is a blog entry with it.
And commentary from across the pond, although the bottom half of the article doesn't quite pertain to the subject.
And commentary from across the pond, although the bottom half of the article doesn't quite pertain to the subject.
The Emails, read them yourself!!
http://www.eltiempo.com/conflicto/noticias/ARCHIVO/ARCHIVO-3985321-0.pdf
or for a synopsis...
http://blogs.salon.com/0001330/2008/03/04.html#a3871
Not the evidence that Uribe gave to Chavez on the whereabouts of a FARC leader in Venezuela. Even more evidence that Chavez is hiding kidnappers and killers.
or for a synopsis...
http://blogs.salon.com/0001330/2008/03/04.html#a3871
Not the evidence that Uribe gave to Chavez on the whereabouts of a FARC leader in Venezuela. Even more evidence that Chavez is hiding kidnappers and killers.
Great Blog from a first hand perspective.
Check out http://daniel-venezuela.blogspot.com/
This is a great blog from a first hand perspective, stuff I'd never be able to relay. I've added the link to my links on the right.
Love the cartoon from today's post.
This is a great blog from a first hand perspective, stuff I'd never be able to relay. I've added the link to my links on the right.
Love the cartoon from today's post.
That nasty little laptop.
Read the article here on what was found on the laptop.
Mounting evidence that Chavez/Correa/FARC are linked.
Mounting evidence that Chavez/Correa/FARC are linked.
Colombia and Ecuador reach agreement
At least two of the parties are making some sense.
Here is the article from Bloomberg.
Key piece of the article is the following quote:
Also notice the theory is reiterated that Venezuela's troop movement is a ploy to bolster support for Chavez in his time of waning popularity. It gives him one more opportunity to wag his finger as an 'anti-imperialist' at the US and divert attention away from the poor state of affairs in Venezuela.
Talk about Wag The Dog!!! (A great movie by the way!)
Here is the article from Bloomberg.
Key piece of the article is the following quote:
Huh? Your country is found to be harboring a leader of the FARC, a group that infamous for kidnapping and murder, and you say that you reject "violence wherever it comes"? Sra. Salvador, would you please follow up this statement with one condemning the likes of FARC and ELN?"Ecuador is a nation of peace that rejects violence from wherever it
comes,'' said Maria Isabel Salvador, Ecuador's foreign minister. "This accord
guarantees that no country again violates our sovereignty.''
Also notice the theory is reiterated that Venezuela's troop movement is a ploy to bolster support for Chavez in his time of waning popularity. It gives him one more opportunity to wag his finger as an 'anti-imperialist' at the US and divert attention away from the poor state of affairs in Venezuela.
Talk about Wag The Dog!!! (A great movie by the way!)
An excuse to live the glory days....
Chavez says he wants peace, and of course gets a shot in about how Colombia is a lapdog of the US.
Read the Reuters report here.
I personally think that El Burro wanted a chance to put his military duds back on and play cowboy for a bit.
BTW, food stuffs are flowing in from Colombia to Venezuela still. I guess El Burro isn't stupid enough to cut off the major source of food stuffs to Venezuela. I wonder how long his troops would last without food? They are outnumbered, out-equipped, and are battle tested against the terrorist forces of FARC and ELN. Last known Venezuelan conflict I am aware of is when there were guerrillas in Venezuela when I was a kid. And not much fighting happened there.
I also read somewhere else that Colombia doesn't have to mobilize any forces to the borders because they can move more quickly than Venezuelan troops. (Thanks to Uncle Sam?)
Read the Reuters report here.
I personally think that El Burro wanted a chance to put his military duds back on and play cowboy for a bit.
BTW, food stuffs are flowing in from Colombia to Venezuela still. I guess El Burro isn't stupid enough to cut off the major source of food stuffs to Venezuela. I wonder how long his troops would last without food? They are outnumbered, out-equipped, and are battle tested against the terrorist forces of FARC and ELN. Last known Venezuelan conflict I am aware of is when there were guerrillas in Venezuela when I was a kid. And not much fighting happened there.
I also read somewhere else that Colombia doesn't have to mobilize any forces to the borders because they can move more quickly than Venezuelan troops. (Thanks to Uncle Sam?)
Who is the Imperialist now?
Interesting report from AP.
Reading it, and of course all of the free money that El Burro is throwing around to his neighbors, who the real imperialist is? Chavez wants to use the FARC to overthrow Uribe.
Note the reference to US contacts at the bottom. This is the first I've heard about it. Will be interesting to see if their prediction of who will become Prez will come true.
Reading it, and of course all of the free money that El Burro is throwing around to his neighbors, who the real imperialist is? Chavez wants to use the FARC to overthrow Uribe.
Note the reference to US contacts at the bottom. This is the first I've heard about it. Will be interesting to see if their prediction of who will become Prez will come true.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Troops are on the move
As of yesterday, troops were not moving to the border between Venezuela and Colombia.
Now they are. AP is reporting that troops are on the move from bases in Lara and the Paramaracay base.
Interesting to note that Colombia has more than twice as many troops than Venezuela. Could the larger number of troops that Colombia has be due to the 40 year war they've been waging against the FARC and ELN? I would be the Colombian troops are more battle-hardened than the alcabala tending Guardia in Venezuela.
Couple of notes about this article:
Now they are. AP is reporting that troops are on the move from bases in Lara and the Paramaracay base.
Interesting to note that Colombia has more than twice as many troops than Venezuela. Could the larger number of troops that Colombia has be due to the 40 year war they've been waging against the FARC and ELN? I would be the Colombian troops are more battle-hardened than the alcabala tending Guardia in Venezuela.
Couple of notes about this article:
- Colombia wants Chavez tried for aiding a terrorist organization.
- Venezuela is accusing Police Chief Naranjo of aiding drug traffickers with evidence it has found on a laptop. (Pot calling kettle black? And no mention of where this mysterious laptop came from. At least the Colombians have a viable source for their information.)
- No mention as to why Chavez would think that Colombia would perform a similar military operation against Venezuela, so the assumption is made that Chavez is harboring 'Tirofijo', head terrorist for FARC. Other reports posted here support that theory.
We'll see where this goes.
Are the poor better off than they were under AD?
Here is a fascinating article forwarded to me by The Source regarding Venezuela, and how the poor are actually WORSE off under Chavez than they were under the leadership of former President Carlos Andres Perez.
Note the author is a former member of Chavez' government and was kicked out for highlighting that Chavez wasn't living up to his promises. He is an economist by trade, and his statistics cut to the bare-bones of the matter. Nothing like good solid numbers to cut through the rhetoric and tell the real story of what's actually going on in Venezuela.
Note the author is a former member of Chavez' government and was kicked out for highlighting that Chavez wasn't living up to his promises. He is an economist by trade, and his statistics cut to the bare-bones of the matter. Nothing like good solid numbers to cut through the rhetoric and tell the real story of what's actually going on in Venezuela.
Caught red handed
Even more evidence mounts that Chavez and Correa are supporting FARC.
Here is an article from a Colombian news site detailing what has been found on laptops recovered from the site where 'Raul Reyes' was killed.
Of course, all of this will be washed away by the encroachment on foreign soil by Colombia when they killed Mr. Reyes in Ecuador. Of course, harboring a known killer, kidnapper, and terrorist will be swept under the rug by the MSM.
I can only hope that the US is able to stay out of this one.
Here is an article from a Colombian news site detailing what has been found on laptops recovered from the site where 'Raul Reyes' was killed.
Of course, all of this will be washed away by the encroachment on foreign soil by Colombia when they killed Mr. Reyes in Ecuador. Of course, harboring a known killer, kidnapper, and terrorist will be swept under the rug by the MSM.
I can only hope that the US is able to stay out of this one.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Saber rattling....
As everyone knows, Chavez has stated he is moving troops to the border with Colombia in reaction to Colombia's incursion into Ecuador to take out Raul Reyes, a senior leader of the FARC.
Chavez' decision to move troops is a tacit acknowledgment of his harboring FARC leaders in Venezuela. Why would you move troops to the border, unless it's to defend against a similar incursion into Venezuela? Besides, Chavez has called Reyes a good revolutionary in the past.
But this is all saber rattling at this point. The Source tells me there are no troop movements in his area on the border between Venezuela and Colombia.
Chavez' decision to move troops is a tacit acknowledgment of his harboring FARC leaders in Venezuela. Why would you move troops to the border, unless it's to defend against a similar incursion into Venezuela? Besides, Chavez has called Reyes a good revolutionary in the past.
But this is all saber rattling at this point. The Source tells me there are no troop movements in his area on the border between Venezuela and Colombia.
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