Defence ministers from Union of South American Nations (Unasur) member states met yesterday for the release of a report detailing each country’s military spending. Ministers and diplomats from the twelve nation regional bloc also pledged further military integration, proposing the creation of a Citizen Security Council.
Last week myself and members of the Communal Council La Columna, in Merida, gave a workshop on grassroots power and community organisation to over one hundred militia trainees from the military barracks in our community.
A general article by ex Cuban president Fidel Castro on Chavez's performance as president, the role of the miltiary in Venezuela, Venezuela's relationship with Colombia, and the importance of some historical events.
The Venezuelan government is conducting a full investigation into the causes of a massive explosion in the country’s main ammunitions deposit, CAVIM, which occurred early Sunday morning and frightened residents in surrounding areas. President Chavez suspected sabotage of the facility may have been a factor in the dangerous incident
Comments by Major General Henry Rangel, head of strategic operations of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB), on possible reactions by the people and the army following the 2012 presidential elections have been “distorted” by the international and national media as well as by Organisation of American States (OAS) General Secretary Jose Insulza, president Hugo Chavez said on Thursday.
US policy toward Venezuela has taken many tactical turns, but the objective has been the same: to oust President Chavez, reverse the nationalization of big businesses, abolish the mass community and worker based councils and revert the country into a client-state.
In response to the detection of increased Colombian military aircraft near the border with Venezuela, Venezuela created ten special military zones along its border to defend against any potential armed aggression.
The annual report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) on Wednesday revealed that Venezuela is the Latin American country that reduced its military spending the most in 2009, with 25% less than the year before.
Energy and military accords were at the top of the agenda during Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s visit to Venezuela on Friday, which Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said marked a shift away from U.S. imperialism
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.
