Thursday, July 23, 2009

Venezuela concerned over U.S.-Colombia military ties

Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and his allies are not happy over the possibility of a U.S. military expansion into Colombia.

As we mentioned last week, negotiations have been ongoing between the U.S. and Colombia to sign a ten-year deal permitting Colombia to become a “regional hub for Pentagon operations.” Chavez has blasted the move calling it a regional “threat” and has ordered a review of diplomatic ties to Colombia. His feelings have been echoed by other populist leaders like Ecuador’s Rafael Correa whose country has had no diplomatic relations with Colombia since a controversial military incursion in March 2008. (Correa himself has had to fend off allegations of links to Colombia’s FARC guerillas).

Earlier today, senior Venezuelan official Angel Rodriguez claimed that the U.S.’ actions were in order to get closer to Venezuela’s vast oil supplies. But does Venezuela really have to be worried about U.S. military plans in Colombia? Here are three reasons why not:
  1. There have been very few details revealed about the possible U.S.-Colombia deal such as the amount of U.S. contractors will not exceed the 1400-person limit set by Congress. Perhaps it’s better to wait and see what the facts of the deal are.
  2. Despite ideological differences, Chavez and Colombia’s Alvaro Uribe are not enemies. The neighboring countries rely on each other heavily economically and it makes little sense to rock the boat politically.
  3. Rodriguez insinuated that the U.S. compared Venezuela’s situation to that of Iraq before it was invaded. Such a view is nonsensical as the risks of the U.S. invading Venezuela (or any Latin American country for that matter) far outweigh any perceived benefits.
Any thoughts?

Image-AFP
Online Sources- The Latin Americanist, Xinhua, Wall Street Journal, Reuters,

4 comments:

Defensores de Democracia said...

Please look at the Videos of "Mono Jojoy" accusing Rafael Correa of Receiving money from Terrorist Murderers FARC and talking of Friend Chavez.

Do a search in YouTube.com using "Mono Jojoy" and "Rafael Correa"

"Mono Jojoy" is the worst Criminal and Terrorist born in the Western Hemisphere.

Look at the Many Videos in which Chavez insults the elected leaders of Colombia, in the most vulgar form. Use YouTube please.

Chavez and Correa have threatened Colombia Militarily with Troop Movements and Deployments in the borders.

Chavez is so mad as to have said that he does not allow American Military Personel or Basis in Colombia.

He is so out of reality that he does not see that American Robot Airplanes ( drones ) can destroy his toy army in five minutes.

Or that his troops would face terrible guerrilla and military opposition in Colombia by people that are experts in these tactics and warfare, and in a Terrain and Mountains that are very unfamiliar for the Venezuelans.

I watched in TV some Venezuelan Mothers weeping because their sons were sent to the border with Colombia. And the Madmen had to back off later ....

Those Venezuelan Mothers were right in being weeping and sobbing.

Milenials.com

Vicente Duque

Benjamin N. Gedan said...

In a true energy emergency, it's hard to predict how the U.S. would behave toward Venezuela, Mexico and Brazil. For now, however, it's silly to even seriously consider a U.S. invasion of Venezuela. The U.S. is desperately trying to leave Iraq, and the expansion in Afghanistan is going to become controversial if the U.S. economy ever recovers and Americans begin to pay attention again to foreign affairs.

Quico said...

My sense? This is about the Russian weapons deals, people! And, especially, the bribes attached to them!

Defensores de Democracia said...

You can not hide the Sun

Chavez, the Arrogant Blowhard, always blustering, threatening, always in his role of a Big Military Bully :

He has even said that he does not let the U. S. have airplanes or military personnel in Colombia.

As far as I know, nothing is going to be built in Colombia .... Only the use of already established airports.

The idea of a Military Basis may be wrong ...

Chavez and Correa are angry, insulting and complaining for an event that has been happening during years.

Because there are already American Robot Airplanes flying over Colombia ( drones ) ....

Change the Idea of Basis, for the idea of Technology, like Radar Towers, "radar airplanes", "surveillance airplanes" ... etc

To keep control of Narco Operations, FARC Guerrillas, Defense or Protection of the Panama Canal ( next door ) and you get the idea....

Nobody that seriously studies these conflicts in the Southern Caribbean and in the Tropical Pacific ( Colombia and Ecuador ) can seriously doubt that Chavez and Correa have rooted for the FARC Terrorists. ... Hundred of Videos prove it.

Chavez and Correa have given audible encouragement and applause to these Murderous Terrorists.

The FARC plants land mines that have killed or maimed hundreds of little peasant children.

They have destroyed the houses of old people in villages with Gas Cylinders and killed their occupants.

They are kidnappers and cold blood murderers. And Chavez and Correa have given lots of assistance.

Look for the Videos of "Mono Jojoy" ( The Worst Terrorist ) talking of the Great Friendship with Correa and Chavez

Go to YouTube.com please and see the Videos that show what Correa and Chavez are ...

Every Nation or Person has a right of self defense.

Milenials.com

Vicente Duque