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Subject: Chavez ready to defend terrorists
PowerPointRanger    3/2/2008 6:15:01 PM
After Colombian troops killed the #2 man in the FARC narco-terrorist group, Hugo Chavez ordered troops and tanks to the border and pulled his embassador (actions usually seen as the final steps toward war). It has been no secret that Chavez had supported terrorist groups in Colombian for years, but he has never been this overt. Is it all bluster? Probably. The only person in the Western Hemisphere to blow more hot air is Castro (Fidel). Of course, I wouldn't trust Chavez that far.
 
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EKAdams       3/3/2008 3:29:19 AM
What was most intriguing, was the open declaration of needing to "liberate" that country.
 
Very 1939...
 
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PowerPointRanger    Colombian Military   3/3/2008 8:43:35 AM
When I was deployed to Colombia in 2000, I had the chance to observe the Colombian military in action.  I found them to be highly motivated and enthusiastic.  They were well organized and led.
 
But...
 
-The conscription and short enlistment of troops resulted in poor training.  (The troops I observed could not hit the broad side of a barn.)
-Equipment shortages were severe.  (I observed troops marching into battle in 95 degree heat and 90% humidity--without canteens!)
-Corruption was a problem.  (Troops would steal supplies and collaborate with right-wing death squads.)
 
I have no doubt that Plan Colombia has improved on many of these problems, but some problems are more easily fixed than others.
 
I suspect that if Venezuela did attack, they would have their hands full.
 
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Shirrush    Ugh   3/3/2008 9:10:20 AM
 
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Shirrush    Ugh!   3/3/2008 9:26:23 AM
A war between Venezuela and Colombia would be about as palatable as one between the US and Canada, or between France and Italy. Who'd want to fight?
And, BTW, thank you Mr. Chavez for the compliment. It is equally pleasing to us Israelis as it should be to the Colombianos.
Even with its glitzy new Sukhois, Chavez's operetta military would quickly be history if it dared to attacked battle-hardened Colombia. I'd rather see this resolved quickly and cheaply inside Venezuela. With one bullet.

Then, the Venezuelians and the Colombians can always confront each other on the legitimate field, on which few bleed and nobody dies:

Fútbol!

 
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xylene       3/6/2008 6:32:22 PM
The interesting thing last couple of days is we are seeing a a more open alliance among South American leftie governments. In the end this is more or less theater, but interesting how Nicaraugua has now cut off relations with Colombia.
 
It would be one thing if the Colombian raid hit a wedding party and only innocent civilians were killed, but in this case the target was actually taken out. Must now determine if Reyes being in Equador was there because of loose control among Equadorians or if he was being given sanctuary by the Equadorians. If FARC camps can be identified in Venezuela and if Venezuela refuses to do anything, then Colombia as a matter of principle and national survival must go to war with Venezuela.
 
Violence is nothing new to these countries but open war is not something they are used to. Sadly the speculators and hedge funds would use this as an excuse to run up the price of oil even more.
 
How much military aid is being given to Colombia? I know we have had troops there training those guys for a long time, but it seems like their military is still in bad shape. Maybe it's also time for Colombia to step up to the plate as well and nothing does that better than an external threat.
 
Want to see Brazil and Argentine reaction if this escalates.
 
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Herald12345    PPR reply.   3/6/2008 7:14:53 PM
My SA history is hazy. Don't Ecuador and PERU  have a long history of mutual warfare that was as recent as 1991?

Be interesting to see where Peru goes in this mess.

I know that Ecuador has been a bandit state throughout most of her history and that this latest bozo, Correa, is but the latest in a long line of clowns to misrule the country. Isn't he a direct Chavez stooge?

Herald


 
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PowerPointRanger    Reaction   3/6/2008 7:31:52 PM
It's no secret that Chavez has been spending big bucks in support of leftists leaders around Latin America (Like Ortega in Nicaragua and Correa in Ecudor) so it's no surprise these puppets would rally around their puppet master.  But even with that support, Chavez must realize that the Venezuelan military is out-matched by the Colombian military.  While Chavez has made some very high-profile weapons purchases, he still isn't close to the Colombian military, which is larger, well-equipped, well-led and experienced.
 
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Herald12345       3/6/2008 8:20:09 PM

It's no secret that Chavez has been spending big bucks in support of leftists leaders around Latin America (Like Ortega in Nicaragua and Correa in Ecudor) so it's no surprise these puppets would rally around their puppet master.  But even with that support, Chavez must realize that the Venezuelan military is out-matched by the Colombian military.  While Chavez has made some very high-profile weapons purchases, he still isn't close to the Colombian military, which is larger, well-equipped, well-led and experienced.

This brings up an interesting question to me. Its not secret that Castro and Ortega are sociopaths. What psychosis  do you speculate might fit Chavez and explain his behavior?

Herald

 
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