Russian TU-160 bombers, which landed at the Maracay Venezuelan Air Force (FAV) base yesterday, will be returning to their bases on October 15. Russian air force spokesman, Vladimir Drik says the two planes are engaged on maneuvers over international waters in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean. The two planes were escorted by Russian SU-27s and monitored by NATO planes. The Russians will also send a naval fleet for joint ventures with the Venezuelan (Armada) Navy. President Chavez says he has full confidence in officers of the Bolivarian Armed Force (FAB), but has ordered an investigation into a new conspiracy to assassinate him and launch a coup d'etat. The conspiracy, involving several active service and retired military officers, was denounced on the La Hojilla TV program presented by government candidate to Carabobo State Governorship, Mario Silva. According to the President, some of methods conspirators are studying include ground to air missiles against the presidential plane, and bombing Miraflores Palace from the air or during a Sunday radio address. Other conspiracies, the President reveals, have been broken up, owing to evolution of the intelligence agencies. Chavez advises the country to have confidence in the government, its intelligence agencies and the FAB, which has great patriotic morale at the moment.
Minister of Foreign Relations (MRE), Nicolas Maduro considers denunciations of a conspiracy by La Hojilla TV show presenter, Mario Silva as " serious." The Minister says the government has been warning and preparing public opinion about a plot against President Chavez' life, adding that testimonies and direct proofs are appearing.
Interior & Justice (MIJ) Minister, Tarek El Aissami accuses what he calls economic factors and the opposition of being behind the assassination campaign against President Chavez. The Minister reports that the intelligence agencies have detected sectors of the opposition engaged in an adventure, a "shortcut" to get rid of President Chavez, provoking scenes of violence and destabilization. The Minister spotlights the 2D Movement headed by two important media owners and retired military officers as directly involved.
2D Movement president and owner of broadsheet El Nacional, Miguel Enrique Otero dismisses the MIJ minister's charges as "paranoia."
The MIJ Minister, has announced the deportation to Colombia of two Colombian drug-trafficking kings, Marcos Jose Wilches and Aldo Alvarez. It's no coincidence, the Minister states, that a great number of capos have been captured in Zulia, accusing the opposition regional government of permitting, facilitating and collaborating with drug mafias ... "that is why the captures took place in Zulia because the drug lords operate with the connivance of state police." El Aissami announces the extradition of a Lebanese citizen wanted in Belgium for narco-trafficking and an Italian wanted in France for the same reason.
The National Institute of Civil Aviation (IMAC) has announced that operations of US airlines in Venezuela will be downsized to compensate supposed inequality in the number of flights of local airlines to the USA. INAC president, Jose Martinez Bravo has sent a letter to American Airlines, Continental and Delta to inform them that from September 28 less flights to Venezuela will be permitted. American Airlines spokeswoman, Martha Pantin has told El Universal that her company is aware of the measure but does not have full details at its disposal. The three airlines run 80% of weekly flights between Venezuela and the USA.
President Chavez has ordered US Ambassador, Patrick Duddy to leave the country and ordered Venezuelan Ambassador in Washington, Bernardo Alvarez to return home. The measure has been taken in solidarity with the decision of the Bolivian government to expel the US Ambassador in La Paz. Chavez announced the return of a Venezuelan Ambassador to Washington when there is a new government in the US that respects the peoples of Latin America and the America of Simon Bolivar. He calls Bolivia, the "daughter of Simon Bolivar." The USA, Chavez proclaims, is responsible is responsible for all the conspiracies against Latin American peoples. "I hold the US government responsible for oil supplies to that country."
Defense Minister, General-in-Chief (G-i-C) Gustavo Rangel Briceno says active service and retired military officers involved in the supposed destabilization plan and conspiracy against President Chavez have been arrested and the Military Attorney General has started an investigation calling on several people to declare. Among those summonsed is one Major Navarca Soto whom, the G-i-C recalls, deserted in 2002, lower-ranked officer Joaquin Brito and Lt. Colonel Sanchez Casares, commander of Air Force (FAV) military police in Maracay. National Guard (GN) General Barroso, Vice-Admiral Carlos Millan Millan and FAV General (ret.) Eduardo Baez Torrealba are preparing their declarations. The Defense Minister denies that there is a witch-hunt within the Armed Force (FAB), confirming that investigations are part of intelligence work undertaken by the Military Intelligence Directorate (DIM).
Editor/publisher Miguel Salazar writes in his weekly column that the traditional opposition is in its death rattle and has given way to "Chavism without Chavez." For many Chavism is nothing more than pure populism and the task without Chavez will be rid to Chavism of any ideological content but holding on to populism. Salazar insists that Chavez is no fool and has the personality of a lowland farmer, troublemaker and story-teller, suspicious and beguiling. "He knows the merchants that circulate around Miraflores and makes out he doesn't. He knows that there are many who denounce assassination and coup, while at the same being involved in the adventure." Chavez, Salazar concludes, has to sleep with one eye open because his enemies know he will no go easy. After all, he is the great survivor.
Patrick J. O'Donoghuepatrick.vheadline@gmail.com
Venezuela is facing the most difficult period of its history with honest reporters crippled by sectarianism on top of rampant corruption within the administration and beyond, aided and abetted by criminal forces in the US and Spanish governments which cannot accept the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people to decide over their own future.
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