The friends of Chavez

While putting together my presentation on the impact of Hugo Chavez on regional security download here it became so obvious, to me, the links between Chavez and so many destabilizing events throughout Latin America and his links to terrorist groups. For simplicity I will discuss each one individually.

Peru: After the November 27, 1992 coup (the second one that year) against Carlos Andres Perez, some of the rebels escaped to Peru and at the time Alberto Fujimori was "president". When Fujimori was ousted Vladimiro Montesinos (head of state security) was discovered in Caracas. It was only after a newspaper reporter exposed his presence that he was handed over to Peruvian authorities. It has been highly suggested that Montesinos was being actively protected by the Chavez govt. Most recently after the attempted coup this past year, the rebels professed loyalty to the Bolivariano movement (the Chavez revolution).

Bolivia: It is no secret that Chavez has had significant influence on that countries internal affairs. In particular he has actively supported the coca farmer Evo Morales politically and financially, admitted by Evo himself. Evo Morales has been responsible for the ousting of the past two presidents, by leading strikes and violence.

Cuba: I think we are all aware of the vast influence of Fidel on Chavez

Colombia: Chavez recognizes the FARC (terrorist gorup) as a political group, it has been widely speculated that he actively protects the FARC.

The FARC: Rodrigo Granda was captured in Caracas, he was nationalized, and was living near Caracas. His daughter was working in the International relation Dept. his wife entered Venezuela with a courtesy visa from the Venezuelan embassy in Cuba. Granda was attending the II Congreso Bolivariano, a Venezuelan Government organized forum (Evo Morales was also present was well has many other socialists and communists and a member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization). The FARC have expressed support for the Chavez Revolution (movimiento Bolivariano) and have asked that Chavez respect the presence of FARC members in Venezuela especially when they are invited by the govt. The FARC even have a link on their main page titled "Movimiento Bolivariano" although it takes you back to the main page (perhaps they will link it to Venezuelan govt. page in the near future).

Carlos the Jackal - One of the worlds worst terrorists (a Marxist). I will leave you with a couple quotes and let you judge: President Chavez addressed Carlos as "Dear compatriot" and signed the letter "with profound faith in the cause and the mission, now and forever". Vice president Jose Vicente Rangel said "he [Carlos] would not be detained in Venezuela, because he committed no crime here"

Chavez has been quoted as saying that he saw himself as a Maoist and admired Lenin for his human rights.

What good friends Chavez has.