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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Chavez's Imperial Dreams of "Greater Colombia" |
| 2005-01-26 |
| A Latin American war could possibly break out in the next few years. Unlike what happened in the 20th century when all confrontations were caused by border disputes, this time the war could be a bloody, multinational conflict triggered by ideological reasons. All symptoms indicate that behind that likely disaster will be the irresponsible behavior of Venezuelan President Hugo Chävez.... The recent episode with Rodrigo Granda is only a sample. Granda, a leader of Colombian communist narcoguerrillas called the FARC, was kidnapped in Caracas by Venezuelan military men [and] was one of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of subversive Colombians who have obtained refuge and aid in Venezuela. An angry Chävez asked Uribe for explanations, but it would have been more reasonable if Chävez had given the explanations, instead of demanding them. What was this sinister character doing on Venezuelan territory, invited to a semiofficial event and carrying a Venezuelan passport in his pocket? Why are communist narcoguerrillas from Colombia camped on Venezuelan territory, and why do their leaders freely enter and leave the so-called Bolivarian Republic? Venezuela has replaced Cuba as the headquarters of the violent left. A few weeks ago, a former Peruvian Army officer, Antauro Humala, after proclaiming himself a disciple of Hugo Chävez and accompanied by several dozen insurgents, seized a couple of military installations, murdered four policemen and attempted unsuccessfully to launch a nationwide revolution. In October 2003, Bolivian President Gonzalo Sänchez de Losada was forced to resign after a series of mass uprisings organized by radical groups apparently financed by Venezuela. At the head of the protests marched Evo Morales, an indigenous and profoundly anti-West leader of the coca growers. Simultaneously, Chävez uses the river of petrodollars that is pouring into the country, as a result of rising fuel prices, to strengthen his army's offensive capability. Pending is the purchase of 50 MiG-29 warplanes from Russia, along with a large number of tanks, helicopters and armored vehicles. The purpose of so much materiel is easy to guess: an eventual confrontation with Colombia, intended not only to liquidate Uribe's ''oligarchic and pro-United States'' government but also to initiate the reconstruction of the Greater Colombia (including Ecuador), the grand homeland sought unsuccessfully by Simón BolÃÂvar in the first half of the 19th century. But this dangerous imperial Bolivarian dream has another, even more-dangerous detour: a war against Chile, intended to destroy that bastion of ``neoliberalism.'' Whether governed by the Christian Democrats or the Social Democrats (as it is led today by Ricardo Lagos), Chile is seen as a threat by the left because of its defense of free markets, democracy and free international commerce. The left does not forgive Chile for its Free Trade Agreement with the United States or similar accords it has signed with the European Union and Japan; or for the success of the liberal style of government that has led to a reduction in poverty, from 42 percent to 18 percent, in 14 years of democracy, while Chile moved to the head of Latin America. |
| Posted by:lex |
| #4 I am glad to see the Administration and regular Americans are taken an interest on this very dangerous man. From the start of his presidency he has repeatly talked about reviving Simon Bolivar's dream: La Gran Colombia. |
| Posted by: TMH 2005-01-26 7:23:01 PM |
| #3 Brazil will be an ally of Chavez, not an enemy. |
| Posted by: Mrs. Davis 2005-01-26 7:19:11 PM |
| #2 This thing will blow before Mt. Saint Helen's. US intervention by end of year, 2005. |
| Posted by: Hillary Clinton 2005-01-26 7:09:23 PM |
| #1 Don't know this journalist, but his thesis is quite plausible. The Andean states are basket cases, ripe for subversion, and Chavez has the cash, the will and the loyal cadres to foment it. Everyone likes to talk about a big new role for Brazil in world affairs. Here's that nation's chance to show some responsibility and wisdom by reining in the idiotarian caudillo to the north. |
| Posted by: lex 2005-01-26 12:53:37 PM |