Hugo Chavez at it again

[Argus]

I know a lot of the left had some sympathies with Venezuala's little president-for-life during his ongoing confrontations with the Americans. After all, anyone who hated George Bush couldn't be all bad. But Obama's been president for a while now, and American foreign policy, particularly towards Latin America, has softened and turned leftward.

Doesn't seem to have had any impact on Hugo Chavez, though. He recently returned from Russia - that other great bastion of democratic thought, swaggering about the new missiles and tanks he's bought.

Half his country is sitting in its own excrement, and he's spending hundreds of millions on tanks and missiles.

But don't worry! It's only for defense! After all, Venezuela has been attacked --- well, never, but it could happen!

[Martin]

Hugo is hilarious to read about. don't think anyone should take that man seriously.

[Oleg Bach]

Hugo is hilarious to read about. don't think anyone should take that man seriously.

Reminds me of a blue lipped blood drinking re-incarnated Inca. Like an anciet tossed forward in time - and if you see missles and tanks - like a kid you are going to want these big toys ...just in case Brazil decides to attack your nation with naked and tanned woman..

[wulf42]

Hugo Chavez is nothing but a fat dumb little War Lord that nobody has time for!

The American's could squash him like a bug on a minutes notice............

[Alex Moore]

what ever happened to the good old days of CIA led coups? lol

[GostHacked]

Hugo Chavez is nothing but a fat dumb little War Lord that nobody has time for!

The American's could squash him like a bug on a minutes notice............

Yup, that is what they said about Iraq and Afghanistan. Shock and Awe !!!

[Argus]

Yup, that is what they said about Iraq and Afghanistan. Shock and Awe !!!

Honestly, why does Venezuala need more tanks than Canada has?

Chavez talked about them developing nuclear technology, too.

The way to avoid "shock and awe" is to not deliberately set yourself up as a threat.

[GostHacked]

Honestly, why does Venezuala need more tanks than Canada has?

Chavez talked about them developing nuclear technology, too.

That is one question you might want to ask Chavez about. But I will say it might be because he can afford it? Also, one reason why militaries ere built up is to prevent an invasion of some kind. Why do people think that nuclear technology ends with the bomb? Why would someone be worried about old outdated Russian tanks anyways?

Canada has tanks?? Ah yes we do

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Forc...d_Force_Command

3 variants of Leapords totaling about 200 tanks for our Military.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuelan_Army Seems to be about the same number Venezuela has. And the T2s are replacing the current stock of tanks. So the numbers will be around the same as Canada's in the end. Or they may have 5-10 more tanks than we do.

There are many countries on the planet with nuclear power technology for civilian use, and at the same time does not have the bomb? There are a few out there.

The way to avoid "shock and awe" is to not deliberately set yourself up as a threat.

Wow that can be applied to anyone then right? Don't build up a big military or we will fight you. The middle east might have been easier for the US to invade because of the many US bases within range of the Middle East. I suspect if the US was to attack Venezuela, it would be a heavy Naval operation.

[DogOnPorch]

The point is that this could start a local arms race...you seem focused on the Americans. What's Colombia to do? Reduce its military?

Edited September 14, 2009 by DogOnPorch

[DogOnPorch]

The T-90 isn't an outdated tank...btw.

[GostHacked]

The point is that this could start a local arms race...you seem focused on the Americans. What's Colombia to do? Reduce it's military?

I focus on the US here because they are the ones that are projecting themselves all over the globe. More so than any other country on the planet. The old USSR could project force, and to some extent Russia still can. But nowhere near what the US can pull off. China could do it as well, but they lack global staging areas/countries.

So if anyone is to attack Venezuela, then it would be most likely the US. I have not really heard this rhetoric from any other country, Canada for the most part has kept quite about it. And I don't see the Brits being too concerned about it either.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8...1697776,00.html

The United States, having neglected the region during most of the Bush years, has renewed its attention to the region. After seeing its DEA agents kicked out of Bolivia, a key military base closed by Ecuador, countries such as Argentina and Brazil becoming increasingly assertive against US influence, the coup in Honduras, and of course Venezuela’s decision to arm itself with sophisticated Russian weaponry, Washington has woken up to the possibility of conflict in South America into which it would inevitably be drawn. It has already reactivated its Fourth Fleet. Now - to the alarm of many South American nations - it has also negotiated to use seven Colombian military bases, ostensibly to fight drug trafficking.

To me this is telling me that only Columbia is playing host to the US in any fashion.

What the military build-up does, however, is give Chavez's Venezuela added prestige in the continental battle for political supremacy. Chavez has brought together South America's radical leftists under his socialist banner; while Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva leads a more measured coalition of social democrats. The two men are friends but both countries are getting used to being at the political and economic vanguard of South America. Military strength helps with that.

If anything it seems like a unification of Brazil, Venezeula, Chile, Equador, and several other countries are all on the same page when it comes to protecting South America. And the only reason why the US is concerned is Columbia. The US has been contributing arms to Columbia for decades, but no cries about that until others in the area start taking up arms.

The Venezuelan ability to strike harder and faster than its neighbours has also unnerved Colombia and the US. Colombia, is in the process of upgrading its own air force slightly, by buying the improved Kfir versions of the Mirage modified by the Israeli air force, but can’t by itself stand up to Venezuela any more either. Which is where the US bases likely come in. With Colombia under a stronger US umbrella, any military incursion by Venezuela would be answered with overwhelming US force.

[M.Dancer]

So if anyone is to attack Venezuela, then it would be most likely the US.

The fear many have is not the unlikely attack on Venezuela, but Venezuela attacking others.

[DogOnPorch]

The country's name is Colombia, actually.

You should perhaps Google Colombia/Venezuela relations before making such bold claims re: the USA's invasion plans of South America.

Edited September 14, 2009 by DogOnPorch

[GostHacked]

The country's name is Colombia, actually.

You should perhaps Google Colombia/Venezuela relations before making such bold claims re: the USA's invasion plans of South America.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia-Venezuela_relations

I GOOGLED !!!! And found this article. It seems to show much cooperation between the two countries. And it seems only in the last decade that things have been soured some.

And I never said that the US was going to invade. I said that if Venezuela is invaded it will most likely be the US. Big difference there. Venezuela has made several attacks on FARC rebels, but I think Colombia is more pissed about not being given a warning or clearance by Colombia. In the end the result is what both countries wanted.

Maybe you can use the google and show me something new.

[Argus]

That is one question you might want to ask Chavez about. But I will say it might be because he can afford it?

As long as he feels spending billions on tanks and missiles is more important than spending it on what is still a dirt poor people without adequate social services, including health care.

There are many countries on the planet with nuclear power technology for civilian use, and at the same time does not have the bomb? There are a few out there.

If a peaceful country minding its own business like Austria decides it needs nuclear power nobody is going to much mind that. When a pulpit thumping, rabble-rousing, anti-american leftist supporting guerrilas who attack his neighbours decided he's going nuclear it raises a lot of concerns, especially when, like Iran, he has no foreseable need of nuclear power.

[DogOnPorch]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia-Venezuela_relations

I GOOGLED !!!! And found this article. It seems to show much cooperation between the two countries. And it seems only in the last decade that things have been soured some.

And I never said that the US was going to invade. I said that if Venezuela is invaded it will most likely be the US. Big difference there. Venezuela has made several attacks on FARC rebels, but I think Colombia is more pissed about not being given a warning or clearance by Colombia. In the end the result is what both countries wanted.

Maybe you can use the google and show me something new.

Colombian/Venezuelian relationships have been rocky since the pirate days...there has been much friction between the two no matter your view on the situation...pro Chavez that it might be. Anyone anti-US equals friend to some, afterall.

[ToadBrother]

If a peaceful country minding its own business like Austria decides it needs nuclear power nobody is going to much mind that. When a pulpit thumping, rabble-rousing, anti-american leftist supporting guerrilas who attack his neighbours decided he's going nuclear it raises a lot of concerns, especially when, like Iran, he has no foreseable need of nuclear power.

I think people give Venezuala far more credit than it particularly deserves. Considering that the US is one of the few places out there with refineries capable of handling its sour crude, it strikes me that Chavez, while doubtless gaining popularity at home and abroad with his anti-American populism, is so incredibly reliant on the US that he's never going to be stupid enough to truly take things as far as he seems to hint he will.

What I can't quite figure out is why all those other Latin American leaders who have aligned themselves with him can't quite figure out just how much of a paper tiger Venezuala is.

[KeyStone]

I know a lot of the left had some sympathies with Venezuala's little president-for-life during his ongoing confrontations with the Americans. After all, anyone who hated George Bush couldn't be all bad. But Obama's been president for a while now, and American foreign policy, particularly towards Latin America, has softened and turned leftward.

Doesn't seem to have had any impact on Hugo Chavez, though. He recently returned from Russia - that other great bastion of democratic thought, swaggering about the new missiles and tanks he's bought.

Half his country is sitting in its own excrement, and he's spending hundreds of millions on tanks and missiles.

But don't worry! It's only for defense! After all, Venezuela has been attacked --- well, never, but it could happen!

Well, Argus, I'm not quite sure where to begin.

1) He isn't president for life. He changed the law to end term limits, so it is the same as those other dictatorships Canada, UK, Australia etc.

2) I'm not sure why you think that buying weapons is a bad thing. Do you think the US is evil?

3) Not that I expect you to read the news much but there was a coup in Venezuela where the government was overthrown. Generally, that is reason enough to call for greater security and military. Add to that the fact that Columbian gangs make frequent incursions over the border, and that various Americans and right wing loons routinely call for invasion - and there is plenty of need for some weapons. Incidentally, the USA has made many little covert field trips to Latin America over the last 50 years - most often to assist right wing thugs to depose leftist leaders.