Venezuela convinced of US invasion

[refuse_resist]

Venezuela convinced of US invasion
September 4, 2005 - 5:49AM

Venezuela has uncovered plans for a US-led invasion and is preparing to defend the country against invading forces if necessary, President Hugo Chavez said in a report carried by the state-run news agency.

The Bolivarian News Agency reported that Chavez made the comments during an interview with CNN. It was unclear when the interview was to be aired.

"If it occurs to the United States to invade our country - Fidel Castro said it and I agree - a war will start here to last 100 years," Chavez was quoted as saying. "Not only this country would be burned up, but a good part of this continent; they shouldn't make any mistake about it, we are preparing to repel an invasion."

Chavez has made similar claims in the past, and US officials have repeatedly denied them as ridiculous. Venezuela is the world's fifth largest oil exporter and a major supplier of fuel to the US.

"We discovered through intelligence work a military exercise that NATO has of an invasion against Venezuela, and we are preparing ourselves for that invasion," Chavez was quoted as saying.

He said the military exercise is known as Plan Balboa and includes rehearsing simultaneous assaults by air, sea and land at a military base in Spain, involving troops from the US and NATO countries. US officials in the past have said such training is meant to prepare troops for general scenarios but not for a specify military action.

The state news agency, commonly known as ABN for its initials in Spanish, said according to Chavez the invasion plan focuses on western Venezuela and also includes a wave of bombings over Caracas and the cities of Maracay and Valencia.

"It's known they have everything planned out to capture the oilfields of the west and the east, the south," Chavez was quoted as saying.

Chavez repeated his threat that if the government of US President George W Bush were to attempt an attack, his government would immediately cut off oil shipments to the US. For this reason, it's important there is an effort to improve relations, Chavez said, according to ABN.

"It isn't us who should take the first step; the aggressor is the one that should show it is capable of sending some signal," Chavez was quoted as saying.

"The signal we have sent is enough: express our willingness to recover diplomatic, political relations, at least to the normal level that existed not long ago with the government of president Bill Clinton."

Tensions have grown in recent months between Chavez, who has emerged as a leading voice of the Latin American left, and a US government that has expressed concern about his close ties to Castro and what Chavez's opponents call an authoritarian streak.

The former army paratroop commander accuses the US government of backing a shortlived coup against him in 2002, another claim that US officials have repeatedly denied. Chavez, who was first elected in 1998, is up for reelection next year, and polls suggest he is strongly favoured to win.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Venezuela...5772390950.html (http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Venezuela-convinced-of-US-invasion/2005/09/04/1125772390950.html)

[viva le revolution]

Arming people's militias both in urban and rural areas is a wise move. The U.S will be wary of the prospect of urban and guerrilla warfare waged upon them given the example of Iraq. Positional and conventional warfare is sheer idiocy when expected to stand up to the conventional might of the united states.

[Matty_UK]

Chavez is smart. It seems that he-and presumably the rest of Latin America-have learned from the history of America's actions regarding left wing governments in south America. All we need is one more Chavez in the continent to really kick the floodgates open and allow revolutionary reform across the continent; the success of Chavez's image of socialism is vitally important, so other countries will follow him too.

[The Next One]

I had no idea this Chavez guy was a sucha thorn in the side of the mighty US dogma machine. Good for him. I will research this fellow and learn as much about himas I can. Anyone willing to defy the US state department and the administration at large is worthy of repsect. Go on, Hugo! :che:

[Amusing Scrotum]

To be honest, I don't think America is planning to invade. Chavez is being very clever, in my humble opinion, by trying to draw as much attention to Venezuela as possible. By doing this he will make it harder for the American Government to mess about in Venezuelas' affairs.

Long live Hugo and his peaceful democratic socialist revolution. Venezuela could be setting a precedent for other revolutions.

[Ownthink]

Originally posted by [email protected] 6 2005, 08:11 PM
To be honest, I don't think America is planning to invade. Chavez is being very clever, in my humble opinion, by trying to draw as much attention to Venezuela as possible. By doing this he will make it harder for the American Government to mess about in Venezuelas' affairs.

Long live Hugo and his peaceful democratic socialist revolution. Venezuela could be setting a precedent for other revolutions.
If they're setting a precedent for other Revolutions (Peaceful ones), then that'd be great. Although, sadly, I think that Violent Revolution will be the only option for some countries :(

[Amusing Scrotum]

Horses for courses.

I agree that possibly violent revolution may be the only way in some countries, but, that has its downside.

I think what is happening in Venezuela does dispel some of the myths, that revolution cannot be achieved at all through a parliamentry process.

[metalero]

(Armchair.Socialism. @ Sep 6 2005, 08:11 PM)
To be honest, I don't think America is planning to invade. Chavez is being very clever, in my humble opinion, by trying to draw as much attention to Venezuela as possible. By doing this he will make it harder for the American Government to mess about in Venezuelas' affairs.

Long live Hugo and his peaceful democratic socialist revolution. Venezuela could be setting a precedent for other revolutions.


If they're setting a precedent for other Revolutions (Peaceful ones), then that'd be great. Although, sadly, I think that Violent Revolution will be the only option for some countries

I agree, violent revolutions depend on the historical and particular conditions of each country, and also on the degree of contradiction of the productive forces. As I'd stated before, peaceful transition to socialism is only possible if the new class in power has enough resources alvailable to carry out the new programs and reforms (Oil revenues in venezuela) without expropiating the means of production from the burguois, but as soon as the organized proletariat tries to expropiate main industries, carry out extensive land reform and eliminate private property over the means of production, the burguois will react with all its destructive force (even recurring to imperialist invasion) and there is where violent confrontation becomes unavoidable. Chavez has shown so far is strong loyalty to the cause of exploited in venezuela (and latinamerica), but when in future Oil revenues no longer represent a sustantial income to carry out reforms in venezuela, the working class will prove themselves in their historical mission, and chavez will have to take some decisions...class decisions :hammer:

[YoUnG192]

"It's known they have everything planned out to capture the oilfields of the west and the east, the south,"

What a clown. Why do you people take this guy seriously.

[intrepid]

If the U.S. invades Venezuela we need to become communist cadres!

I know not what course you comerades will pursue but I will pursue the terror!

[Ownthink]

Originally posted by [email protected] 6 2005, 09:07 PM
If the U.S. invades Venezuela we need to become communist cadres!

I know not what course you comerades will pursue but I will pursue the terror!
I think that was a rough translation for "If the U.S. invades Venezuela I will become a Communst terrorist".



Or something along those lines. :hammer:

[Technique3055]

Go ahead Bush, attack Venezuela.

Chavez said he's stop all oil shipments to the U.S. Venezuela is the State's fourth largest oil supplier. The lack of oil in the U.S. will make gas prices skyrocket.

Bush and his approval rating are already on thin ice. A stunt like this that leads to much higher gas prices (that basically effects every single person) might push his DISapproval rating over the edge.

Honestly, I don't see any good for the U.S. in such an invasion.

[CubaSocialista]

Let the yankee imperialists pile their corpses until they feel the pain they inflicted on New Orleans and the world.

Those poor old US Army boys are in for it now!

Let the bodies hit the floor.

[Commie Rat]

i highly doubt that the US will risk some thing so such stratigic importance and invade

most likely this is alot of hot air by Hugo to get some attention globally

[wet blanket]

It's really starting to seem like Chavez is scaring his population into submission. The whole situation seems very unlikely(but I'll be willing eat these words if it happens to be true), and it looks like he's using this as an excuse to build up his military.

[Che NJ]

I'd believe that the U.S. has a plan to invade, but I don't think they will do it unless things really go downhill in terms of international relations. Back in the Clinton days I believe the government had around nine strategies for invading Iraq. I wouldn't be surprised if they have battle plans for every problem country on the planet.

Bush can't invade anything right now. He can't even get soldiers to New Orleans, and that's in his own country. I don't think he will go to war unless he has more than enough people to commit to it. U.S. style wars involve overwhelming the enemy with technology and alot of soldiers. There's no way he can do that right now or in the near future.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

The most likely scenario is invasion through proxy via Colombia.

[Paradox]

The most likely scenario is invasion through proxy via Colombia.

I agree. It's doubtful to say the least that the US would directly invade Venezuela. That would be a stupid mistake. It would just create more outrage against the Bush administration, giving the increasing anti-Iraq War sentiments. As far as logistics, they could conduct bombing raids, but sending troops, that doesn't look likely given the distribution of troops right now, i.e. Iraq, Afghanistan, Hurricane Katrina, etc..

[metalero]

Originally posted by wet [email protected] 7 2005, 10:57 AM
It's really starting to seem like Chavez is scaring his population into submission. The whole situation seems very unlikely(but I'll be willing eat these words if it happens to be true), and it looks like he's using this as an excuse to build up his military.
that´s right, and all that of a bloody empire invanding other countries, bombing civilians and stealing all its natural resources is pure paranoia!

the age of terror and military build-up has started long ago in U.S, However ur statement is about a country that has never attacked any other one, but rather it´s began to prepare itself to defend its sovereignthy and at the same time assuring universal health care, proper education and elevating the working class consciousness.


The most likely scenario is invasion through proxy via Colombia.

That is true, but remember Colombian military has its own stagnated war agaisnt a powerful and well organized organized guerrilla army, a conflict that has been going on for more than 40 years...FARC are a pain in the ass to imperialist agenda militarily talking.

[patria grande]

Originally posted by [email protected] 7 2005, 08:08 AM
The most likely scenario is invasion through proxy via Colombia.
True, the U.S won´t invade Venezuela the way they did it in Irak. In Latin America they almost always use another tactics.
Nowadays Colombia is U.S more reliable ally in the region. Only three countries are receiving more military and monetary support from the U.S: Israel, Egypt and Irak.

[chebol]

Oh, yes, PURE paranoia. Why would the US want to invade anyway?
The question is CAN they do so ATM?

Operation Balboa: NATO war games simulated attack on Venezuela

VHeadline.com's Philip Stinard writes: Extracts from a longer article by Eleazar Díaz Rangel
VHeadline.com, Venezuela's Electronic News
May 15, 2004
http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=21173

Between May 3 and May 18, 2001, the Spanish Armed Forces, fed with abundant, detailed, and secret information about Venezuelan, Colombian, and Panamanian military and defense, conducted a simulated land, air, and sea assault in which US and allied countries, authorized by the United Nations, attacked the western part of Venezuela from bases in Panama and Colombia.

These are what military and geopolitical analysts call "war games," which simulate scenarios and situations that permit the participating forces to practice advanced attack and defensive techniques.

In this case, the exercise "presented a fictitious situation, the product of the evolution of imaginary happenings, although they are adapted to real-life situations," according the "General Rules of Simulation" and the "Specific Exercise Plan for Operation Balboa."

It's surprising to learn how much information, supposedly confidential and secret, about Venezuela, was provided by US officials to NATO and was used in this simulation conducted by 36 Lieutenant Colonels and other officials from the Spanish Air Force and other countries.

These and other participants in the "war games" were organized in two groups, and the ones in the Air Force were directed by Commanders Juan Ramon del Rio Nieto and Julian Roldan Martinez from the General Air Command in Moncloa. One can infer from the classified document to which we have access that the exercises were completed with the participation of land and sea forces.

Scenario: The participating countries are shown on a map: A blue country, the United States; a white country that needs to be protected, Colombia; a light blue neutral country dependent on the blue country, Panama; and purple, Venezuela; with a black zone of conflict. These countries are described with interesting deformations to exalt the blue and white countries, and indicate the negative aspects of the purple country. For example, it explains that by nationalizing the oil industry, Purple "needs foreign personnel, particularly from the Blue country, to
maintain the rhythm of production and operation of these installations."

The intervention
Operation Balboa then goes into great detail into the hypothetical political situation of Venezuela. It posits the existence of a radical People's Party that "proposes actions against the interests of the legally constituted government" and against properties of the Blue Country (United States). The Venezuelan Revolutionary Force (VFL), exists in the west, with support of the White (Colombian) guerrillas, popular groups, and some of the Armed Forces, and practically controls the western part of Purple (Venezuela).

The United Nations Security Council calls upon the VLF to abandon its belligerent actions and make peace with the Purple government. Peace talks between the groups fail, and Blue residents of the Black area are threatened. The UN authorizes the creation of an Allied Joint Combined Force to rescue the foreign residents.

Colombia's role
The White country (Colombia) declares itself neutral in the conflict, but fearful that the conflict could extend inside its borders where guerrilla forces are aiding the VLF, they offer the use of their territory and their air force bases to the UN Forces. Light Blue (Panama) also offers the use of its territory.

The UN makes a statement
Naturally, armed intervention, supposedly requested by a government, needs to cover its appearances. That's where the UN comes in, although it's not certain that the National Security Council will support this position.

They could appeal to the Organization of American States (OAS) and ask for application of the Interamerican Charter, but since they are working with NATO, they decide to go through the UN.

The UN Security Council emits a resolution asking the VLF to abandon the occupied territories and give up control to the Purple government. It authorizes the Blue country and its allies to use force if the VLF does not meet a certain deadline, and authorizes forces to conduct rescue missions for Blue citizens within the Purple country. Air forces are authorized to control the VLF areas, and the Allied Joint
Combined Force is authorized to be made up of forces mainly from the Blue country and its allies.

Operation Balboa
On April 30, 2001, the VLF ignores the UN and continues to occupy its territory. "Their military situation is excellent because they have an increased number of air force personnel, completely dominating the Air Bases and civilian airports in the Black area, which also includes the capital."

"The VLF have threatened to destroy Purple's petroleum resources in case their installations are attacked. They are expecting hostile actions and sabotage operations by the guerrillas against their own bases located in the White country."

The Operation Balboa plans then go into great detail about how the Blue forces are deployed, and how they conduct the war. The oil facilities are to be protected at all costs. The goal is to "destroy the enemy air force's potential, support the ground troops, occupy the northwest part of the Purple country to recover the (petroleum) capital, blockade the main ports in the occupied territory, and secure land communications to maintain logistic flow and military control of the area."

The operations are conducted in four phases, completely detailed in Eleazar Diaz Rangel's original report, complete with maps and drawings.

How did it end?
Since the documents in our possession only cover Air Force operations, with frequent allusions to land and naval forces, it's logical to assume that Operation Balboa ended in "victory," the attainment of the proposed objectives, security in the White country, and consolidation of the central Purple government after the liquidation of the VLF forces.

Some questions
The reader must be left with many questions. For example: Why was Venezuela chosen as the principal objective in this "war game?" How is Operation Balboa related to the April, 2002 coup? What did this "simulation" have to do with the presence and activity of US military officials during the coup? Why wasn't Cuba involved? How far did NATO intervention go? What was the participation by the Spanish Armed Forces? What country proposed this war game, the US, Spain, or some other NATO country? And, supposing that the Venezuelan National Armed Forces (FAN) military intelligence knew of these war games, what was the reaction by the High Military Command and the highest echelons of the Venezuelan government? Have they asked for an explanation? How did so much classified information about the Venezuelan military and government leave the country?

From Operation Balboa to April, 2002
Eleven months later, there was a coup in Venezuela, and for 47 hours, we had a dictatorial government. On that occasion, evidence surfaced implicating the US government. I wrote on this subject in my Sunday column (May 3, 2003), "April in Washington," where I showed how US Naval Captain David Cazares, at a reception in the Melia Hotel on April 8, 2002, approached a Venezuelan general, whom he had mistaken for someone else he was conspiring with, and asked him about the lack of contact that he had with a submarine and two war ships deployed in Venezuelan waters.

On April 12, 2002, US Colonel Donald F. MacCarty made an irregular request for authorization to fly US Galaxy C-17 and Hercules C-130 airplanes over Venezuela. During those lays, instead of the four F-16 airplanes that the US had permanently stationed in Curacao after they abandoned their bases in Panama, there were 16 of those powerful hunter/bomber aircraft in Curacao.

On March 28, 2002, Colonel Michael Rhea, of the US Military Mission in Venezuela, strangely offered a workshop on the use of night-vision visors to be held before April 10. The offer was accepted by US officials, and they came to Venezuela in advance of the workshop. In Ultimas Noticias, we reported on how a US ship penetrated our territorial waters on April 12, 2002 near Falcon, and from there, a helicopter flew in circles near Orchila Island, where President Chavez was being held prisoner.

Finally, we also published photos of US Colonel J. Rodgers driving a small truck at Fort Tiuna, where he was stationed on April 11, 12, and 13, almost always hanging out on the fifth floor where the Army Command, command center for the coup, was located. Military experts call the war games a "continuing situation," because these simulations are almost never divorced from reality. On the contrary, they reflect, and often encourage, the development of real situations.

[Commandante_Ant]

I think America WILL invade Venezuela but it will not be for a couple of years. Chavez is a threat to America because he doesnt "tow the party line"...he defies America and is an example to every country. Too many countries in the world are scared to say no to America for fear of trade or arms. But Venezuela has a good enough system that it doesnt need to fear America. It is surviving well enough without American aid.

[piet11111]

Originally posted by [email protected] 7 2005, 01:07 AM
If the U.S. invades Venezuela we need to become communist cadres!

I know not what course you comerades will pursue but I will pursue the terror!
agreed sort of like the volunteers going to fight facism during the spanish civil war.

i would go though i dont know spanish.

[Des]

what do you will happen if america did invade..

how would the world view it? england, france,russia, china etc?

[Amusing Scrotum]

what do you will happen if america did invade..

how would the world view it? england, france,russia, china etc?

I couldn't comment on China, but the people of Europe are in the main on the left. Their not as far left as this board, but, are still alot more socially aware than mainstream America. The fact that progressive taxation, free healthcare etc. exists in most European countries, even those under right wing Governments. Indicates to me a slight affinity to Socialism. Also the European Left love Fidel Castro from what I can gather. So any attack on his strongest ally would not be welcomed.
The only thing that could cause trouble is Chavez's support for Iran. This for me is one of the only negatives of the Venezuelan "Revolution". I really dislike the theory of "your enemies enemy, is your friend". However I'm not in any kind of position of power, so its easy for me to critise from the moral high ground.

[Amusing Scrotum]

i would go though i dont know spanish.

I would probably go, but, not knowing Spanish and coming from what could well be an enemy nation, would probably mean that I would arose great suspision within the Venezuelan Army. And I'd probably end up being arrested.

[piet11111]

Originally posted by [email protected] 8 2005, 02:24 PM

i would go though i dont know spanish.

I would probably go, but, not knowing Spanish and coming from what could well be an enemy nation, would probably mean that I would arose great suspision within the Venezuelan Army. And I'd probably end up being arrested.
very true and thats why i send a link of the article where chavez suspects an invasion to the venezualan embassy in the netherlands asking if chavez would set up foreign brigades incase of an invasion and that i would be willing to join when venezuela came under attack by any foreign power.

i am awaiting a response and i will post it here when it comes.

i often felt that i was born in the wrong time i should have been born earlier so that i could fight in the spanish civil war and ww2 to fight facism.
but perhaps the greatest fight is just around the corner and i am to participate in it.