As readers of this blog know, Venezuela’s general election is a few days away, on October 7. Hugo Chávez has every intention of holding on to power, and, in the unlikely event he loses by a high enough margin that he’s actually defeated, he’s got a “Plan B”: station the National Guard on Caracas and the states of Miranda and Vargas, and 1,150 troops around the presidential palace, with orders to fire on any protestors.
Carlos Eire translates a report from Spanish newspaper ABC,
Surpise! Hugo Chavez Readies Armed Forces to Seize Control After Election
Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and his government are planning to bring out the National Guard into the streets of Caracas and the states of Miranda and Vargas, the most densely populated and urbanized areas of the country, in case some of the Venezuelan people protest against alleged fraud in the results of the upcoming presidential election or they come out to celebrate victory for the opposition.
Venezuelan authorities state: “To prevent endagering our Bolivarian Revolution, units of Regional Command 5 will be able to apply Plan Delta Carlos, to deploy themselves in strategic locations in sensitive zones, and also to apply Plan Delta Papa to defend Miraflores Palace.” (where Hugo Chavez resides). ABC has obtained a copy of the official “Strategic deployment plan for securing and restoring public order.” This contingency plan includes preventive measures against peaceful demonstrantions.
This document, which includes the names of the commanders in charge of each unit and their telephone numbers, specifies that “in case demonstrations by the opposition get out of control, especially around the presidential palace of Miraflores, the National Bolivarian Armed Forces will be authorized to use as much force as necessary to quell disturbances, including all issued weapons.”
Chavez has threatened civil war and is preparing for it; there’s also the issue of his health.
Now, imagine if Venezuela descends into chaos and Fidel, in solidarity with Hugo (and facing the end of Venezuelan oil money) decides to pull another Mariel just weeks from the US election…
Nah. That’s just conjecture.
Besides, the State Dept. would have a contingency plan or something.
Wouldn’t it?
UPDATE,
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