Spin-free Colombia/Venezuela Article

Submitted by fyl on 14 March, 2008 - 15:14.
A recent AP article seems to put a realistic picture on the Colombia/Ecuador/Venezuela "problems" of late. It is about Uribe and Chavez agreeing to meet in person and work on relations.

The dialog was initiated by Chavez. Clearly it is in the best interest of both to "be friends".

Until late last year, Uribe and Chavez had managed to maintain cordial relations in spite of deep ideological difference. Their countries are major trading partners, with billions of dollars in business each year including imports of Colombian food that help Chavez's government cope with sporadic shortages.

Their verbal confrontation began to heat up in November, when Uribe sought to halt Chavez's efforts to mediate a proposed swap of rebel-held hostages for imprisoned guerrillas. The rebels have since freed six hostages to delegates of Chavez, and he says he hopes the rebels will turn over more.

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John Perkins comment

Submitted by fyl on 19 March, 2008 - 10:05.
In John Perkins' (Confessions of an Economic Hit Man) March newsletter, he had the following to say:
Latin leaders convened in the Dominican Republic to overwhelmingly condemn President Uribe of Colombia. He is seen as Washington's last puppet in the hemisphere, a man who does not want peace with FARC because he receives so much US military aid.

Obama and Clinton both joined Bush in supporting Uribe and blaming Chavez. They bowed to political expedience rather than taking the opportunity to educate the U.S. public about the true significance of what is going on in Latin American.

John Perkins Comment

Submitted by bluewater on 19 March, 2008 - 14:08.

If he is perceived as a puppet, why does he have such overwhelming support in his own country? Perhaps it is because there is absolutely no question that he will peacefully step down when his term ends, as opposed to other leaders that share common borders with his country.

Wow another voice of reason here?

Submitted by Leon on 19 March, 2008 - 21:08.

It is funny that all the baby name calling from Ortega, Chavez and others (puppet, lapdog, Nazi, rabid dog and other idiotic stuff from these infants) they are exactly what they say about others. the dispute was with Colombia and Ecuador but somehow Chavez gets involved very fast, maybe a smart move to raise oil prices in the short term and squeeze the poor of the world a bit more.

Then Ortega cuts ties with Colombia, ah the lapdog, puppet of Chavez. Why did he do this against the Constitution of his country, were the people calling for a diplomatic break with Colombia over the death of a drug runner? Was there mass protests in the streets? What happened to the people are the president?

Love him or hate him even Castro is not in the class of these uneducated, undiplomatic tyrants that are willing to sacrifice lives for their own advancement. The president of Colombia is popular because he has worked for his country and people. He has aligned himself with Bush (I am not a fan of Bush) but he is in the center not the right wing like Chavez and Ortega want you to believe. He aligned himself with Bush because he has a real problem that needs fixed, where else to turn. The people of Colombia want to failed 44 year old war (terror) that lost tract of it ideals many years ago and have become nothing more than common thugs, murdering, drug running and kidnapping.

If Ortega took one minute from his thirst for power and looked at why Uribe is so popular he may learn something. Instead the inflation is the second highest in Latin America (second only to Chavez) jobs are being lost at a alarming number, crime is on the increase, construction and housing are down. What is Ortega doing about this, arguing with the King of Spain, giving a crazy speech denounced by a vast majority of world leaders at the U.N., changing the daylight saving time, changing holidays, renaming stadiums, tearing down fountains so Managua looks like it never left the 80's, creating the new CDS (CPC) against the assembly and majority of Nicas and so on.

Then while his five year presidency was in its first few months and low approval numbers he wants to change the constitution to get reelected or open a prime minster position so he and his wife can stay in power for ever. Seems to me if you want power for ever you do good for the country first, gain support than change things but what the hell do I know.

Side note

It is also funny to see how quick they all backed down of the Colombian attack across the border. This is a serious incident (even though I take Colombia's side) crossing a border of a sovereign nation. However looks like they are all caught red handed, helping the FARC kill Colombians and run drugs. I know many here will say the US is fabricating evidence on the laptops but look at the money seized in Costa Rica. One laptop said exactly the address where half a million FARC dollars in exactly what kind of box would be found and sure enough Costa Rican police raided the house and found the money, so much for a US conspiracy!

Why Chavez?

Submitted by fyl on 20 March, 2008 - 08:04.

You said: "the dispute was with Colombia and Ecuador but somehow Chavez gets involved very fast". I addressed this elsewhere. Raul Reyes, the #2 man in FARC that was killed in the cross-border raid, was the person Chavez has successfully negotiated with to get six hostages freed. He was expected to get more freed.

If Perkins is right, it would be in Uribe's best interest to cut the possibilities of negotiated settlements.

I guess it how you think

Submitted by Leon on 20 March, 2008 - 19:44.

If you think they should be taking hostages in the first place you are right. I think it is the best interest of the human race not to take hostages and treat them like dogs in the fist place. I see nothing in the interest of Uribe to negotiate with these low lives to release people that should not be in captivity.

(Read this from Castro, even he knows the FARC does not want to release the hostages for any type of humanitarian act.)

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2008/marzo/lun17/Reflections-17marz.html

Many have tried to negotiate with these idiots over 44 years and the situation only got worse. The best course of action is to send them to hell where they belong as they would do the same to the Uribe (who was freely elected) and thousands of other innocent Colombians like they have been doing for years.

I personally think the bodies of young children speak for themselves. You simply don't negotiate with terrorists or sub-human idiots that murder indiscriminately. It only encourages them to do more.

I hope that the info from the laptops comes out soon so that Chavez who swore on God and his mother he was not helping the FARC shows he was lying. When it is shown that Chavez is trying to over throw a democratically elected government than even the far left will have a hard time defending him!

Bodies of young Children speak for themselves

Submitted by dirtbag on 20 March, 2008 - 21:43.

Thanks Leon, apart from your strident and sincere viewpoint I hesitate to say, mostly because I wince at the lack of the humanity...I am all for you posting these images. You can't change facts. Only the way you look at them.