July 14, 2005

The Military Take a Leading Role

Summary:

• Chávez gets ready to face the American invasion:  500 machine gun nests in The Avila Mountains.

• “We are arming reserves, we do not have enough rifles, but each soldier shall have his weapon.”

• The Territorial Guard shall be in charge of resistance during the country’s occupation

• The military issue has prevailed in the past several weeks.

• Military brass supports the asymmetric war proposed by Chávez.

• 1,500 military have positions in public administration.

• A university students massacre by military and police people.

• Witnesses say victims identified themselves as students, did not resist, were handcuffed and shot at.

• NGOs report that for each policeperson dying in armed conflict, there are 49 civilian casualties.

• Chavistas attack student protests.

• Chávez complains about the inefficiency of his regime.

• Chavistas offer excuses for him:  “Chávez is a good guy, but those around him are incapable and corrupt.”

• Electoral apathy:  María Corina Machado explains why.

• The OAS Mission finds a society which continues to be split in two blocs.

The U. S. script to invade Venezuela is called Balboa.  So charged Chávez in Aló Presidente while affirming that the defense strategy is ready.  He did not offer details and invited the audience to be part of July 5^th  military parade celebrating the independence celebration and The Armed Forces Day.  At the end of the parade, he called it a witness to the re-empowerment of the Armed Forces (AF), especially, regarding its weaponry.  He said that at the top of Monte Ávila – a mountain separating Caracas from The Caribbean Sea- 500 machinegun nests could be set to face invading troops and that there are missiles to shoot down bombers attempting to support the invasion.

TV Stations were chained for long hours to broadcast the pare and other acts of the Independence Anniversary.  Thousands of Chavistas, in their white shirts and red scarfs, filed into their assigned places in El Paseo de los Próceres and they enthusiastically applauded martial troops and war vehicles passing by.  Around the President. civilian and military VIPs and special guests joined in strong applause, with stern faces, for the words and gestures of the President regarding the invasion and the defense plans.  Similar applause for the contingent of reservists.  Chávez, while congratulating them, announced:  “We are arming reservists, yet we do not have  rifles for everyone, but every soldier in the reserve shall have his weapon.”  He added that there shall also be a Territorial Guard.  Defense is the priority of Venezuelans, he underscored while gesturing with words.

Next day, The Defense Commission in The National Assembly (NA) took steps towards modifications of military legislation.  León Heredia –an officialdom deputy- said that The Territorial Guard will be in charge of resistance operations during the occupation of the country by hostile forces.  He told newspeople that The Territorial Guard will be activated when invaders are more than active forces and reservists and its weaponry shall be appropriate for irregular warfare.  On July 13^th , The Commission approved the new text of The Armed Forces Act.  Its chairman, Eddis Ríos, said that The Territorial Guard notion is included so as to justify resistance to the invasion:  “If it is not in the text of the Act, we might be considered terrorists by international bodies.”

The brass issue, with its symbols and messages, has been in a leading role for several weeks.  Military promotions, many becoming retired for years of service, and the placement of others in top command posts filled front page news in the media.  From military chiefs there came a daily message of support for the President’s concerns regarding the invasion and his notion of asymmetric warfare.  The Army Chief developed the concept in academic terms.  Gen. García Carneiro –who had hoped to continue at The Ministry of Defense- was succeeded by Orlando Maniglia, a Navy officer, who was promoted to the rank of a Three-Sun Admiral.  In the Army, he promoted the chiefs of political police, military intelligence and Caracas police to the rank of General.  García Carneiro was rewarded with a new Ministry of Popular Development.  The President has near 1,500 military in high public administration posts.

In the swearing-in of the Minister of Defense, the President proclaimed the (AF) as the heart of the revolution, announced as a strategy the strengthening of the military component and increased (AF) participation.  He insisted anew that defense is his Government’s priority and he charged Adm. Maniglia with the task of strengthening the military for the battlefield.

THE MASSACRE OF STUDENTS

Personal lack of safety is –for quite some time- one of the problems affecting society the most.  The frequent monstrosity of crimes and collective terror have produced social apathy regarding the right of police bodies in the application of the death penalty.  This time, the so-called “Macarao Massacre” shook the whole country.  Three university students were murdered and three young girls –also students- were wounded by a group of 30 masked military and policepeople as informed by The Minister of Interior and Justice.  Survivors and witnesses clearly stated that the students were coming out of exams and properly identified themselves.  They did not resist; they were handcuffed, brutally beaten and shot.  The body of one of the victims showed the impact of 10 bullets upon reaching the morgue.  Indignation was such that Chávez ordered an investigation.  Assurances were given that the dossier would go to District Attorney’s Office.  The official word say is that victims were mistaken to be suspect of murdering someone from the military.

The NGOs ask for attention to what goes on.  PROVEA, one of the most respected, mentioned its 2003-2004 Report, which states that the ratio of casualties in armed clashes is 49x1 between civilians and security people.  This figure places Venezuela among the worst in Latin America.  According to UNESCO’s last report, Brazil and Venezuela are at the top of the list of world countries with more casualties by firearms.  For PROVEA, the figure shows violence, excess and impunity in police behavior.  Msgr. Baltazar Porras, President of The Venezuelan Bishops Conference (CEV), showed his anguish for what he deems a death anti-culture and he pointed to poverty, marginality and failures of The Rule of Law, together with impunity, as structural causes of violence.  He also added the discourse and practice of exclusion.  Less than a week later, deeds proved him right.  Students from different universities march on to The National Assembly to protest the death of their comrades.  At the doors of The Capitol, they were met by a Chavista Brigade.  Students yelled Military Boots Out!  Chavistas answered:  Conspirators!  Words turned into action and the matter ended in violent strife

CHÁVEZ AND MARÍA CORINA SPEAK OUT

Chávez complained about the inefficiency of the regime and praised a recent demonstration of his followers before Miraflores.  He asked:.  Why the claim?  “Our lack of efficiency in resolving problems.”  He offered to substitute ranchos for dignified housing and he allocated US$465 million for the new plan.  A Construction Council spokesperson said that after six years of this administration, the housing shortage is one and a half million  providing some 33,000 units.  The Finance Ministry had reported that revenues increased some 30 % over budget while oil prices allowed to increase $2 billion for social expenditures.  The alleged  demonstrations –by roofless populace and landless peasants- arriving at Miraflores to speak to the President were met with regrets for not being able to do so but were told that the promised housing and offered lands had not been yet delivered:  “Chávez is very good, he is with the poor and wishes to help, but he’s surrounded by inept and corrupt people,” was the bossy message from a march female leader.

A few weeks before municipal elections, the climate of apathy is impacting.  The NEC fails to motivate the population in spite of the publicity campaign.  It offers to entrust the Centro de Asesoría y Promoción Electoral (CAPEL) –an electoral advisory and promotion body-, the auditing of the Registro Electoral Permanente (REP) –Permanent Electoral Registry--, while keeping for itself the CAPEL REPORT.  He mentioned the EU observation but failed to properly send the invitation.  An OAS Delegation, led by Rubén Pirina, came to Caracas for political observation:  they met with all groups.  Súmate’s  María Corina Machado spoke in behalf of civil society:  all Venezuelans accept suffrage as the way to deal with the country’s problems, while we have the right to demand elections according to legal and constitutional norms which are now lacking.

In Pirina’s words, the mission was sent by the new OAS Secretary General openly concerned by the situation of democracy in Venezuela.  Although not discarding the OAS possibility of being overseer of municipal elections, he did warn that a formal invitation is required together with a time frame to organize an electoral mission as a full observer for legislative elections in December.  Pirina did not hide his perception of a society split in two blocs.  On the government side, those on the opposite sidewalk are all conspirators.  On the opposition side, the other sidewalk is full of Castro-Communists.  And the traffic light remains stuck on Red.  This is the view of the man from The OAS.

From a neutral perspective, the presence of The OAS and The EU is positive.  The predictable August abstention and international pressure may be elements making the government to offer an electoral opening, possibility also nourished by Chávez’s effort to preserve the humanist image of XXI Century Socialism which he vows to preach.