Article

2008-07-07 Caribbean-Latin America

Venezuela: Army unrest grows over Chavez reforms

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Posted by Steve White 2008-07-07 00:00|| || Front Page|| [4 views ] Top

#1 When I was in South America in the seventies, the Venezuelan army had a reputation for professionalism. Generals would speak out against political demagoguery. Talk about a 180 degree turn. Trivia note: unless a change was made that I am not aware of, Costa Rica doesn't have an army. Civil police handle all security.

Posted by McZoid 2008-07-07 00:29|| 2008-07-07 00:29|| Front Page Top

#2 I think it may indeed be time for the Venezuelan Army to schedule a HALO jump for the el Presidenti.

Posted by Besoeker 2008-07-07 09:40|| 2008-07-07 09:40|| Front Page Top

#3 Talk about making a made-to-order-Coup.

Posted by DarthVader">DarthVader 2008-07-07 09:50|| 2008-07-07 09:50|| Front Page Top

#4 A coup would not be good. He needs to be replaced legally at the end of his (long) term. Repeating the cycle of military rule followed by populist demogogue will not help Venezuela, South America or the U.S.

Venezuela's suffering from the remaining years of his incompetent rule will help the country remember this mistake.

Posted by DoDo 2008-07-07 11:37|| 2008-07-07 11:37|| Front Page Top

#5 A coup would not be good.

In this case, it would. Clearly failure to coup now would lead to an inability to coup later, when Chavez will most probably be less amenable to surrendering power democratically and instead prefer the Revolutionary-leader-for-life mantle. The Venezualan military have a window in which to save their country and themselves now, or suffer generations of misery Cuba-style.

Posted by Bulldog 2008-07-07 12:33|| 2008-07-07 12:33|| Front Page Top

#6 schedule a HALNO jump for the el Presidenti.

Posted by Menhaden S 2008-07-07 12:53|| 2008-07-07 12:53|| Front Page Top

#7 No, a coup would NOT be good. That's South America's whole problem, the idea that the military can "step in and set things right". Possibly they can, but it's NOT THEIR JOB. It's YOUR job. Involving the military is dangerous.

I blame Simon Bolivar for this mental trap.

Posted by mojo">mojo 2008-07-07 13:58|| 2008-07-07 13:58|| Front Page Top

#8 it's NOT THEIR JOB. It's YOUR job. Involving the military is dangerous.

No one claims it's not dangerous. It's simply pragmatism, and in this case the lesser of two evils.

Who is the YOUR meant to indicate in your statement, btw? The public? A spontaneous public uprising against a politicised military and well established dictatorship? Is that supposed to be a safe option?

Posted by Bulldog 2008-07-07 15:19|| 2008-07-07 15:19|| Front Page Top

#9 'Fatherland, socialism or death'

The Germans tried this once, right? How'd it work out?

Posted by tu3031 2008-07-07 15:21|| 2008-07-07 15:21|| Front Page Top

#10 It is nominally a democracy. The YOUR is the Venezuelan voters, and the army's contribution to the march of civilization is NOT shooting voters at Hugo's behest. Stand down, boys - your current president is a criminal.

Posted by mojo">mojo 2008-07-07 15:26|| 2008-07-07 15:26|| Front Page Top

#11 mojo, the key word is 'nominally'. What was the margin in his last election? To call Venezeula anything but a nominal dictatorship is naive. There can only be elections if El Presidente allows them.

Posted by AllahHateMe 2008-07-07 15:41|| 2008-07-07 15:41|| Front Page Top

#12 If Chavez does not leave when his term expires then the coup is his and, in which case I would agree that he should be overthrown.

Chavez is increasingly unpopular because of the sheer incompetence and corruption in his government. He has no more ability to build a strong police state than he has to build a strong government, strong oil sector, strong FARC, reduce crime, or even to win his last election.

Posted by DoDo 2008-07-07 16:30|| 2008-07-07 16:30|| Front Page Top

#13 Chavez is going to go out in a Coup, most likely. Some general will step into place and hopefully can be controlled and Venezuela will be a banana republic until the next socialist Messiah comes along.

Rinse repeat.

Posted by DarthVader">DarthVader 2008-07-07 17:06|| 2008-07-07 17:06|| Front Page Top

#14 Chavez lost the last election over the constitutional reform. The total vote was never released (15%) remaining - this in order to make it look close. Roumour has it the army insisted that Hugolito refrain from jacking with the vote. So mojo is correct, the public can undo Chavez. Next election for state governors is set for November. Opposition looks to gain maybe 2 proviincial governments.

Posted by .5MT 2008-07-07 17:12|| 2008-07-07 17:12|| Front Page Top

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