Columbia Confronts Chavez Supported Narco Terrorists
Latin American politics entered the spotlight with the saber rattling of Venezualian President Hugo Chavez threatening to mass troops along the Columbian border after Columbian forces mounted a successful military stike resulting in the death of Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia [FARC] commander Raul Reyes last Saturday. Ecuador claims the strike took place inside their border violating their national sovereignty. Venezuela claims to have deployed some 9,000 troops to the boarder with Ecuador claiming more than 3,000 troops.
Attempting to defuse tensions the Organization of American States is assembling a commission to investigate the incident. The Organization’s pre-scheduled meeting in the Dominican Republic today should be a very interesting test of the members tolerance of Mr. Chavez endless political rhetoric and threats to regional stability. Columbia is sure to demand that Venezuela address information discovered in the Ecuadorian raid that Columbia claims document the Chavez governments $300 million in aid to FARC.
FARC was once considered to be a valid Leftist insurgency, particularly during the military government of General Gustavo Rojas in the 1950’s. Since then it has degenerated into a terrorist organization supporting itself through kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficing. Among it’s combatants are rural inhabitants from Columbia’s southeastern regions forced to join it’s ranks or suffer death or torture. It is estimated 20 to 30% of it’s ranks are children under the age of 18 years old. While FARC once enjoyed some popular support the kidnapping of tens of thousands of Columbians has increased popular support for the governments military actions against the terrorists.
Chavez may have hoped this show of force would once again highten Venezuelan sense of nationalism and stave of his declining popularity at home. But, even though he has spent billions procuring high tech Russian weaponry he dare not confront Columbian forces who have, for years, trained jointly with U.S. Army Rangers in local facilities. Additionally, Columbia has received billions in military support from the past three U.S. administrations as part of the War on Drugs. And if statements by border residents, as reported in the Houston Chronicle are correct the threat may be nothing more than a ruse:
“We’re still waiting for the 10 battalions that Chavez claimed to have sent,” said Fernando Peña, who sells mattresses and box springs just off the main drag. “We haven’t seen any troops. We haven’t heard any helicopters. Here, there is no conflict.”
This miscalculation by Chavez has only brought misery and suffering to the border merchants who proper from the trade with Columbia. Venezuelans are already suffering food shortages and higher prices as Hugo Chavez squanders the country’s oil wealth supporting a variety of causes around the world mostly those that discredit U.S. interests. Engaging in a heated conflict with Columbia would certainly spell his demise if his actions to date haven’t already. Hopefully, the Venezuelan people will soon be spared his self serving agenda.