It seems that all the Washington political elite and major news media can think about is their domestic agendas. Unfortunately, the international picture continues to burn particularly Latin America.
In his continual clamp down on any dissent Hugo Chavez recently jailed a prominent judge and continues to jail anyone who disagrees with him. Judge Maria Lourdes Afiuni and her entire courtroom staff were arrested and are now sitting in jail.
According to many accounts Hugo Chavez has a firm grip on his government and people. The Cubans run his Intelligence services and his police. Cuban doctors and teachers work in schools and hospitals. Iranians run his oil production and now there is a Pentagon report that Iran is moving Iranian Guards into Venezuela.
The Pentagon report concluded that Iran’s Qods Force, an elite unit within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is well established and increasing its presence in Latin America, particularly Venezuela.
Colombia, meanwhile, accuses Chavez’s government of supporting Colombia’s Marxist rebels, and Nicaragua and Bolivia are expanding military ties with Venezuela.
Venezuela has become the replacement for Cuba in expanding a socialist agenda throughout Latin America.
Hello – anybody home in Washington?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Obama had a friendly photo-op with Chavez and accepted a gift from him. It was a “Let’s be friends” moment that should never have been.
It is well past time that this administration starts criticizing Chavez. Obama people go monkey berserk wild when Israel plans housing in Israel. However, when Chavez destroys democracy, human rights, businesses, supports the overthrow of nearby democracies, and steals from the people of Venezuela, Obama and his cabinet are $hit-faced quiet. Chavez is a huge danger to peace in this hemisphere and Obama will not make a decision to do anything about it.
Great article.
RWG,
There is ONE point I must disagree with you on, it’s in you last phrase: “Chavez is a huge danger to peace in this hemisphere and Obama will not make a decision to do anything about it.”
I believe that Obama HAS made a decision on which side to support.
I wonder is November will be too late. The scent of war is becoming stronger, and I fear that this conflagration will engulf us all.
Conrad,
Obama will not criticize the dictators and despots in this world. Yeah, I agree that Obama made a decision to support Chavez, Castro, and Che even before he became president. I pray that Obama does not try to stay in power for life.
RWG