Venezuela opposition attacked after Chavez speech

[Zorro]

Source: Reuters

Assailants attacked Venezuela's opposition with tear gas on Monday after President Hugo Chavez told police to use gas at anti-government public disturbances ahead of a referendum on allowing the leftist re-election.

Venezuelans will vote on February 15 on a proposed change to the constitution allowing Chavez and other politicians to stay in office as long as they keep winning elections.

A similar proposal was defeated in a referendum in 2007 after large and sometimes violent protests led by students.

Between Sunday night and Monday morning, unknown assailants threw tear gas canisters at the Vatican's embassy in Caracas and at the house of an anti-government media mogul and set fire to a student leader's sport utility vehicle.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090119/wl_nm/us_venezuela_chavez_1

[WCGreen]

1. True Colors Shining Through....

[Dreamer Tatum]

2. Nah, just another translation error

In this case, Chavez told the cops to shower the public with bonbons and roses, but they translated it (from Spanish to Spanish) into "GAS THEM!"

[EFerrari]

3. And despite these smears being proven baseless every time

someone falls for them every time.

The last time something like this was posted, Chavez supposedly had a "student leader" shot. The guy was offed by a gang he was ripping off in his little black market deals. But 25 of you didn't even notice.

This will turn out to be the same sh!t.

[WCGreen]

7. I don' know...

It seems there is much we don't know from either end.

The news in South AMerica is, from what I understand, very partisan, aligned with one ideology or another.

And given the way propaganda plays a part in the poltical process, I would tend to think that Chavez is not the Ogre that the right makes him out to be nor the kindly progressive nanny that the left makes him out to be...

[EFerrari]

9. He's neither, definitely. But these stories crack me up because

in all the time I've read DU (and I only started following Venezuela here because there are posters here who know a lot) not one of these stories has turned out to be true. Maybe someday one of them will but, so far, the propagandists are like 0 for 273.

We could have a real discussion on his relations with Russia or China, for example. Does he know what he's getting into? What are the terms? How could it affect Latin American and, us? He's got a lot of influence in Latin America and the pushback from people like Exxon is fierce. But that never happens. It's always some sensational accusation that turns out to be bs.

[harmonicon]

12. no shit

It's almost as if intelligent discussion were verboten here some times. The actual things worth discussing get overwhelmed by people spouting off about their hatred for a cult of personality that their hatred creates. It's similar to Bush, except that people hated Bush the man for his policies and actions, where as it seems that people hate Chavez's policies and actions because they've already decided to hate the man.

[bitchkitty]

18. And all the rats slunk away when that was disproved. n/t

[fascisthunter]

28. they are pretty transparent at this point

they don't notice because their agenda is to smear Chavez irregardless... goes with their political predisposition.

[Arctic Dave]

4. TG, why is it you never come out unless your puking up stories about Chavez?

You are becoming a one trick pony.

[EFerrari]

5. In a way though, these stories are useful if you want to study propaganda.

The headline is basically a non sequitur like, "Sun comes up after Chavez Speech".

It's meant to give the impression that Chavez ordered the police to attack his opponents even if the story itself says that no one knows what is going on. By the time law enforcement tracks down the perps, people will still be convinced Chavez was behind it even if none of these stories has ever panned out. Zorro's mission accomplished!

[ro1942]

6. CIA

the CIA has been after my boy Hugo for years. by the way a little socialism would do America good.

[EFerrari]

11. The CIA is about as welcome in Latin America as herpes.

Only a few rich Bushlike bastards anywhere down there will have anything to do with them. They make a mess wherever they go and leave it for others to clean up.

[Zorro]

16. DA, you talking to me?

You talking to me? You must be talking to me. I can't believe you're talking to me.

That's "you're puking up stories..", not "your puking up stories...", BTW. Are you a Wasilla HS graduate?

You should challenge the allegations reported in the article, instead of making editorial comments about the poster. You should "no" that by now.

[Arctic Dave]

25. I have a hard time typing from my phone.

I'm actually a graduate from California, it took me a lot of years to overcome that.

However, the point was you never come out to play unless your trotting out the same old game. It is like someone pays you to do this.

Sad, really.

[Zorro]

32. You type with your phone?

What do you use for a phone? Your shoe?

Posting MSM articles about Venezuela is "the same old game"?

I thought the point of LBN was to post news articles about current events that engenders topical discussions.

If you don't want to play that "same old game", perhaps you should return to your igloo and go into hibernation.

[Peace Patriot]

8. "...unknown assailants..." Uh-huh.

There's a long, long history of CIA-funded agents provocateur causing trouble for leftist leaders in Latin America. And these actions--anonymous tear gassing and other violence--are typical of the rightwing opposition in Venezuela, not the left. Typically, also--in Venezuela and other Latin American countries--the CIA and its rightwing lackeys work in tandem with the corpo/fascist 'news' monopolies, with the 'news' monopolies publishing crapola like this, trying to line up these events to sully the elected president who has a duty and a right to prevent violence in Venezuela (re: his orders to the police). They are implying that, because he told the police to use tear gas to break up violent protests, "unknown assailants" (read leftists--Chavistas) then illegally used tear gas to harass the opposition. They can't say this outright--because the facts don't warrant it. But they, in their impressionistic way of reporting, strongly imply it.

I think we can expect major trouble, instigated by the CIA/rightwing coupsters, in Venezuela, in the near future--much like the Bushwhack-instigated trouble in Bolivia in September. I've been following the news of Venezuela and South America quite closely over the last year, and I think the planned coup will likely be centered in the oil rich state of Zulia, Venezuela, where the fascist faction may declare their "independence" from the federal government and attempt to secede. This plan has been in the works for some time. It was tried in Bolivia, and failed, for various reasons. But that may have been a dry run. Zulia is on the Caribbean (more accessible to US forces) and adjacent to Colombia (where the narco-fascist thugs running the government and the military have been the recipients of $6 BILLION in U.S./Bushwhack military aid). This relentless propaganda against Chavez, in our corpo/fascist press, tells me that the Bushwhack plan is still in motion, and Obama's statements about Chavez tell me that he may support it, or at least wink at it. There is nothing that our corporate rulers want more than to be rid of the peaceful, democratic Bolivarian Revolution.

I don't think Obama has the power to stop this plan, even if he wanted to. It will be his "Bay of Pigs," but may turn out even worse than that did, if Obama puts US boots on the ground in support of these fascist 'freedom fighters.' Chavez is not the "dictator." They are. They established this clearly, in their coup attempt in 2002, when they immediately suspended the Constitution, the courts, the National Assembly and all civil rights, after they kidnapped Chavez. They are not democratic. Their purpose will be to control Venezuela's oil and stomp out any leftist opposition. For this, they likely plan to use the Colombian rightwing paramilitary death squads--that are closely associated with Colombia's government and military--available right over the border, and likely already active in Venezuela. Blackwater may also be involved. I think it's a Rumsfeld plan. And, at the least, it will cause chaos--in Venezuela and throughout the region. Chaos is Rumsfeld's middle name. In Dec '07, he published an op-ed in the Washington Post, urging "swift action" by the US in support of "friends and allies" in South America. I think he primarily meant these fascist secessionists in Venezuela.

These are not innocent news articles, by our corpo/fascist press. They are a drumbeat for war--yet another oil war. And they are coming thick and fast, with every invented excuse they can find to dis Chavez and to create an impression of disorder in Venezuela, so that, when the war plan begins, US citizens will have been put to sleep on this matter. ('Oh, it's just that dictator Chavez.')

I think the bad guys will lose, but will cause severe alienation between North and South America, and huge diplomatic problems for Obama. Chavez's many close and friendly allies in South America will rally to Venezuela's aid, as they did for Evo Morales in the Bushwhack coup attempt in September. That is another Rumsfeld signature--alienation, creating insoluble diplomatic problems. His solution to everything is war--and he will have his second oil war (Iran having been denied to him), whether Obama agrees or not. I think that his privatized "Office of Special Plans" has been working overtime to create it.

[EFerrari]

10. Obama still seems to buy the FARC bs. It could well be his Bay of Pigs.

And it will be brought to us live by Globovision!

[robcon]

13. Sorry, I believe Reuters ahead of the Chavistas on DU.

Chavez takes his cues from Castro, although unlike Castro and Guevera, he doesn't have protesters shot - at least in public.

[frylock]

21. then you do so at your own peril

[WriteDown]

14. The mask is starting to crack a bit...

We will see a slew of verbal attacks on Obama before the referendum on February 15th as well as more of these types of attacks on the opposition. I wonder how long the Chavista's on DU will continue to defend him.

[Zorro]

15. Tensions build in Venezuela as Chavez prepares for referendum

<snip>

Reporting from Bogota, Colombia -- A succession of violent incidents in Venezuela, including the armed takeover of the Caracas city hall, point to an ugly campaign ahead of a Feb. 15 vote that could lift term limits on President Hugo Chavez.

A group of 40 armed men who said they were Chavez supporters were still in control of city hall Monday evening, two days after they forced their way in, handcuffed two security officers and declared the building "recovered for the revolution," a mayoral spokesman said.

A previous referendum on ending term limits was narrowly defeated, and various polls indicate Chavez could lose again. Passage would change the constitution, which currently allows only two presidential terms, to allow unlimited election bids by all elected officials.

Mayor Antonio Ledezma, a Chavez critic who unexpectedly won Caracas' city hall in November, said the government had not moved yet to restore control of the building.

"I have reminded the president that I was elected by the people of Caracas and that he should respect us just as he would be respected," he said.

<snip>

More at: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-cityhall-venezuela20-2009jan20,0,5183178.story?track=rss

Just another phony story from the anti-Chavez MSM, I suppose.

[ronnie624]

17. The story isn't phony, it's just highly biased.

But the truth shows through to those who are interested:

- "Students take to the streets after unknown assailants threw tear gas at their meeting in Caracas."

- "On Sunday, unknown attackers burned the car of Ricardo Sanchez, an anti-Chavez student leader at Central University of Venezuela"

- "After 10 years in office, Chavez remains highly popular by virtue of his social welfare programs funded by the nation's oil wealth. In state and local elections in November, his allies won 17 of 22 states and four of every five mayoralties"

[bitchkitty]

19. Unknown assailant=Agent Provocateur

The Seattle riots - remember?

[EFerrari]

20. In the days before the last referendum, there were four or five of these a day.

And they all turned out to be bullshit. This is nothing.

[Bacchus39]

22. another bad translation it seems: Government followers break up celebration of Bandera Roja

http://english.eluniversal.com/2009/01/20/en_pol_esp_government-followers_20A2199483.shtml

pro-government group headed by Lina Ron broke up the 39th anniversary ceremony of political Bandera Roja party at the Caracas Athenaeum.

Gabriel Puerta Aponte, the leader of Bandera Roja, said that the group broke in Margot Benacerraf Hall shooting and hurling tear gas.

"We were assailed by gangs of the (United Socialist Party of Venezuela) PSUV commanded by Lina Ron, which since very early in the morning rallied in Morelos Square. A large armed group took the lobby of Margot Benacerraf Hall, at the Caracas Athenaeum and from there, they started to shoot and throw tear gas until they managed to evict us from the site," the leader reported.

He held President Hugo Chávez directly accountable for "sending these gangs" in order to provoke the people who form part of the government dissent.

Puerta Aponte said that the National Guard witnessed the event in complicity with the assailants. "They continue attacking nearby; they have taken the lower part of the Athenaeum and would not let the media or anybody to get in. And the National Guard is over there and let them act, protecting the assault."

[EFerrari]

23. Have a ball. Doing the same thing over and over can be comforting.

[Bacchus39]

24. is that why you defend Chavez no matter what?

I hope President Obama simply ignores that fool.

[EFerrari]

27. The thing is, I don't. I go out and try to track down the facts

just as I do with any story. I've done the same with stories about a number of subjects.

It's not my fault that these hit pieces on Chavez always turn out to be bullshit.

The real problem is if he ever really does any of these things, you all will have absolutely no cred and you will have to wait until those of us who track things down do our work as usual.

[Bacchus39]

26. move along nothing to see here

[fascisthunter]

29. hey look... more anti-Chavez propaganda

[Judi Lynn]

30. They get wild spamming the media with this crap every time there's an election, or a

recall attempt, or a referendum. They also do it in Bolivia, etc., where the oligarchy also controls the media.

Damned pathetic. Anyone who watches these things as you do, and many other DU'ers is completely familiar with this super dirty behavior.

[Zorro]

31. Are you denying the allegations in the articles?

Or are you complaining because the actions of the pro-Chavez brownshirts aren't being described accurately?

[ronnie624]

34. Which allegations are you referring to?

The ones leveled against "unknown attackers" and "unknown assailants"? Your accusations aren't clear. What is it, exactly, that you are accusing Chavez of having done?

[Pastiche423]

33. Maybe is wasn't a such a good idea to empty my ignore list