Analysis: Military

“Those Who Do Their Job Shouldn’t Fear Inspection”: Interview with Venezuela’s “Inspector”, Admiral Carmen Meléndez

ewan — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 22:59:42 +0000

C. Hernandez / C. Melendez - Ciudad CCS

Tired of hearing that public works and government projects are not functioning like they should, President Hugo Chavez has given instructions for Carmen Melendez to do on-site supervisions and to bring back the names of those responsible. The very possibility her visiting public institutions suspected of inefficiency will send some into a panic, and make others tremble.

Opposition Lawmaker Maria Corina Machado Makes Miami Headlines

ewan — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 23:19:21 +0000

Correo del Orinoco International

In another attempt to discredit Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, one of the country’s most reactionary right-wing lawmakers recently issued a set of “warnings” that her country is allegedly developing a massive “guerrilla army” to fight against the United States.

How Is Chavez?

Rachael — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:54:11 +0000

Atilio A Boron

I would like to share with everyone some personal impressions interspersed with some elements of analysis about an unforgettable day. It had been a while since I’d seen President Hugo Chavez, and I was, like everyone, very anxious about seeing him up close, maybe shaking his hand. I was worried about his health, for him as a close friend, and for Our America, for which he has done so much. And further, because Chavez is, as the Bertolt Brecht quote goes, one of the “indispensable” ones, those who like Fidel, struggle every day, 24 hours a day, without a break.

Independence Equals Housing, Health, Agriculture, Defense & Political Will

Rachael — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 12:31:23 +0000

Arturo Rosales - Axis of Logic

Last night, Venezuela's VTV reported from CAVIM (Venezuelan Military Industries) in Maracay, on their production of the AK-103 and a full range of ammunition for use by the new National Police Force and the Venezuelan Military.

Venezuela’s Armed Forces Under Fire by Washington

ewan — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:36:44 +0000

Eva Golinger, Correo del Orinoco

During an event that included the transfer of mandate of several members of the high military command on Tuesday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said changes to the National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) are important for strengthening democracy.

The Battle of 2012 – The Revolution, the People and the Armed Forces

Rachael — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 02:22:35 +0000

Frente Francisco de Miranda Youth Organisation

A piece by the Frente Francisco de Miranda Youth Organisation discussing the opposition's strategy of destabilisation and the possibility of an international intervention in Venezuela.

Interview with Ignacio Vera: Why is the Process so Centered around Chavez?

juan — Sat, 21 May 2011 13:23:26 +0000

Jorie Kennedy - Evergreen College

Ignacio Vera looks just like Paulo Freire. He’s a patience-testing slow talker, and speaks as much with his hands as he does with his mouth. One evening we sat on his porch to consider some questions about the social and political changes taking place inVenezuela which are considered by many to be part of a Socialist Revolution.

From Latin America to the Arab World – What’s going on in Libya?

juan — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:12:16 +0000

Santiago Alba Rico & Alma Allende - Rebelion

We might describe the situation like this: in a part of the world linked once again to strong internal solidarities and from which only lethargy or fanaticism was expected, a wave of popular uprisings have arisen which have threatened to topple the allies of Western powers in the region, one after the other.

Ecuador, Venezuela: Danger South of the Border

juan — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:17:36 +0000

Paul Kellog - Poleconanalysis.org

When a country increases state control, challenges illegitimate foreign debt, pushes the U.S. military out of the country and joins a regional alliance with Venezuela, Bolivia and Cuba, it is clear who would benefit from a coup.

The Latest Provocation of Colombia against Venezuela

admin1 — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:05:46 +0000

Jorge Martín - In Defence of Marxism

On Thursday, July 22, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez decided to put the border with Colombia on maximum military alert, after Colombian president Alvaro Uribe made accusations that Venezuela was harbouring FARC guerrillas and demanded an “international commission of enquiry.”

The US Threat to Latin America

admin1 — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:39:56 +0000

Grace Livingstone - Morning Star

The military agreement between the United States and Colombia has caused outcry in Latin America. Many governments suspect that the US is trying to cement its military hegemony in the region and maintain its ability to intervene in the affairs of Latin American countries.

Venezuela: The People in Arms

tamara — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 13:43:27 +0000

Alan Woods - IMT

Alan Woods in Caracas describes the mood of the masses on the April 13 celebrations of the 8th anniversary of the failed right-wing coup. This time, as well as the usual red shirts, there was a massive display of the people’s militia clad in camouflage green, and carrying Russian-made AK-47s, a clear warning to the reactionary oligarchy that the masses are prepared to fight any attempt to turn the clock back.

CIA Agents Assassinated in Afghanistan Worked for “Contractor” Active in Venezuela, Cuba

tamara — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 15:43:57 +0000

Eva Golinger

At least eight U.S. citizens were killed on a CIA operations base in Afghanistan this past Wednesday, December 30. A suicide bomber infiltrated Forward Operating Base Chapman located in the eastern province of Khost, which was a CIA center of operations and surveillance. Official sources in Washington have confirmed that the eight dead were all civilian employees and CIA contractors.

Washington Alters U.S. Air Force Document to Hide Intentions Behind Military Accord with Colombia

admin1 — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:21:23 +0000

Eva Golinger

In an explicit attempt to hide Washington’s military objectives in South America, a U.S. Air Force document submitted to Congress in May 2009 that provoked deep concerns in the region has been modified and re-published on November 16, 2009.

The Instigators of War: Venezuela or the Colombian Government?

admin1 — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:10:14 +0000

Camilo Moreno - Rebelión

For several weeks the main Colombian media outlets have intensified their campaign against Venezuela, wanting to make the Bolivarian Republic appear as the instigator of a possible war between the two countries. They want to confuse the victim with the aggressor.

U.S. Base Access in Colombia Prompts Increase in South American Defense Spending

admin1 — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:26:50 +0000

Roque Planas - NACLA

The announcement in mid-July of the near completion of an agreement to allow the U.S. military to lease space at seven Colombian bases prompted nearly unanimous rejection from South American governments. In the meantime, other South American nations have begun to arm themselves.

U.S. Military Buildup In Colombia, Is The U.S. Preparing For War With Venezuela?

kiraz — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:37:35 +0000

Mark Vorpahl - Counter Currents

The U.S. State Department has just wrapped up a deal with Colombia’s President Uribe that will lead to a massive buildup of U.S. military personnel across seven bases in Colombia. Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez characterized it has a “threat to Venezuela that could generate a war in South America.”

The Counter-Revolution Will Not be Tweeted

tamara — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:24:43 +0000

George Ciccariello-Maher - Counterpunch.org

A comparison of the Coup in Honduras with the Coup of 2002 in Venezuela. The recent street rebellions against the Ahmadinejad regime in Iran were touted by many as the first baptism-by-fire of Twitter as a political tool. Celebratory articles abounded for a brief time, before such foolish dreams came crashing back to earth under the weight of a metric ton of misinformation, unsubstantiated rumor, and idle gossip..

Separating Fact from Fiction: An Analysis of Venezuela’s Military Power

greg — Thu, 14 May 2009 17:15:54 +0000

Alex Sánchez - COHA

Exercises like those carried out with the Russian navy in November 2008 are good for morale, and also helps mold the Venezuelan military into an authentic regional power, though certainly not a hemispheric security threat, given its still very limited capacity to project its force.

“Please, tell the truth, if they let you"

tamara — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:50:17 +0000

ABN, Yvke Mundial

The [Venezuelan] president asked a CNN correspondent and anchor of that channel to clarify that he never said that he “would bring tanks into the street” if the opposition won. He also requested that Glenda Omana straighten out that the government did not order any “information prohibition” in Venezuela.

The Venezuelan Arms Build Up: Fact or Fiction?

jan — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 15:36:48 +0000

Victor Figueroa-Clark – Red Pepper Venezuela Blog

The asinine assertions of Chavez’s ‘authoritarianism’ can be easily refuted, but the purchase of submarines and aircraft are harder to explain. Military hardware is military hardware whichever way you look at it, and at first sight it is not easy to see why a country like Venezuela needs jet fighters, submarines or helicopters.

Chile and Venezuela: Myths and Realities of the Arms Race

jan — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 01:06:10 +0000

Raúl Zibechi - Americas Program

The recent trip by President Hugo Chávez to Russia has been seen as part of the arms race in which the Bolivarian leader is engaged. However, facts indicate that Venezuela is far behind Washington's two main allies in the region, Colombia and Chile, in the purchase of weapons.

A view from inside the Venezuelan military

jan — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:44:34 +0000

Gen. Alberto Müller Rojas - Últimas Noticias

An interview that is essential reading on the Venezuelan armed forces and some of the debates that are occuring (which stepped up quite a bit in April this year when Chavez told all those in the military who did not support the slogan "homeland, socialism or death" to leave).

Venezuelan military spending – busting another anti-Chavez myth.

jan — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:47:25 +0000

Oil Wars

Opponents of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez have often liked to imply that under his rule Venezuela is engaged in a large scale military buildup, has increased military spending, and spends more than previous Venezuelan governments and other Latin American countries have. However, a detailed look at the numbers shows that this is yet another myth.

Venezuelan Government Announces Offensive Against Paramilitaries

jan — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 23:34:07 +0000

Jim McIlroy & Coral Wynter - Green Left Weekly

“It is not possible [to accept] the continued massacre of our campesinos ”, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez declared on August 6, “The chiefs of police must respond to these acts... if they feel incapable they must resign.”

Venezuela's Civil Soldiers

jan — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:57:14 +0000

Elizabeth Núñez - New Internationalist

They call it ‘co-responsibility’. Elizabeth Núñez explores a peculiarly Venezuelan attempt to integrate civilians with the armed forces.

Venezuela’s Weekend Warriors

jan — Tue, 09 May 2006 00:44:25 +0000

Alexander Holland - Venezuelanalysis.com

Much confusion surrounds the Venezuelan military reserves, partly because of the controversy they cause. For the government, they are a critical part of the Venezuelan process because of the role they play in deterring, or in the worst case fighting, a war of invasion by the US.

Venezuela's New Model Army

jan — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 04:12:32 +0000

Hilary Wainwright - Red Pepper

Hilary Wainwright had only a few days left in Caracas after the 2006 World Social Forum. She wanted to understand for herself the rare radicalism of the Venezuelan military. How did they themselves understand the central role they played in civilian society? What were they like as people?

Military radicalism in Venezuela: lessons for Philippines

jan — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 14:56:17 +0000

Walden Bello - INQ7.net

Venezuela is undergoing, if not a revolution, a process of radical change, and the military is right in the center of it. How could this been happening, many skeptics ask, when the military, especially in Latin America, is usually an agent of the status quo? Others, less skeptical, ask: Is Venezuela the exception, or is it the wave of the future?

U.S. Protests Spanish Arms Sale to Venezuela while it Arms Latin America and the World

jan — Fri, 01 Apr 2005 20:17:32 +0000

Larry Birns and Sarah Schaffer - COHA

The U.S. State Department accused Caracas of embarking on a unilateral arms race, with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice insisting that Chávez’s actions threatened the stability of other Latin American nations. If any country can be accused of igniting local arms races, surely Washington is a prime candidate for such a distinction.