The Failed Oppositions Game Plan in Venezuela

[Dancing_Dave]

The Opposition's Game Plan
By Benjamin Melancon,
Mon Aug 16th, 2004 at 09:33:30 AM EST
"The opposition is so hopelessly disorganized and defeated after being repeatedly outmaneuvered -- by Chavez, his supporters, and community media in Venezuela --that even the U.S. is afraid to put the golpistas in charge.
I hope.


Fact is, the (former) oligarchs of Venezuela aren't going to give up on retaining and regaining their privelege, the U.S. government isn't going to give up on maintaining and increasing economic and political control over all of Latin America, and so the U.S. government will never give up on the Venezuelan 'opposition'. This opposition isn't the 40% or so that voted to recall Chavez but the handful of people who would actually run the government (so as to allow them to completely run the economy and the country).

Thus, with a predictable defeat, that opposition has been laying the groundwork for what can only be another coup attempt..."

The rest of this story is at
http://narcosphere.narconews.com/story/2004/8/16/93330/0241

[Joanne98]

1. Chavez needs to start another round of firing

In the military and in the oil workers union. He needs to make sure that 2 years from now they have NO people in postions of power anymore.

[pretzel4gore]

2. David versus Goliath!

or what! It's mindboggling this story is not getting airplay...
what a corrupt bucha whores the massa media is

[On the Road]

3. It Just Occurred to Me

that the opposition probably expected to lose, but contest the election if it were close or there were indications of fraud. Think what happened to Milosevic the last time he was "elected." And they did contest the results.

Stupidly, however, the opposition claimed an overwhelming victory which nobody finds credible. Fortunately, Chavez won by such a margin that none of these tactics are likely to succeed.

[bemildred]

4. Something like this:

Keep it close, spread chaos and doubt, make a lot of noise,
try to work up a call for "intervention" and "peacekeeping"
and stuff like that. The level of turnout is what fucked them.

Edit: there were also a number of elements of this plan, e.g.
the "para-militaries" from Colombia, that were dealt with before
they could be brought into action. Hugo, whatever his faults or
virtues may prove to be, demonstrates a good deal of hybrid vigor,
and has repeatedly out-maneuvered both the US and Venezuelan
elites' attempts to undermine him. On the evidence I would say
he has them way outclassed, and that is what most drives them nuts
about him, his very existence is an attack on their racist delusions
of superiority.

[AndyTiedye]

5. That's What WE Have to Do! Turn Out The Voters!

> The level of turnout is what fucked them.

[Fovea]

6. I think maybe it is time to invent

In-sourcing. To whit, where you fire the Patron class by finding willing immigrants to come and take over the civilian govt sinecures that the patrons call their own.

[bemildred]

12. I like it.

I think any non-english speaking fellow fresh over the border
could do a better job for the American people than about 98%
of the corrupt half-wits in Congress. At least la raza
knows how to work hard.

[daleo]

7. They won't go quietly into that good night

If Bush manages to steal the U.S. election, I think they will play the invasion card. Some helpful "Chalabi" figures will provide the propaganda, which much of the North American media will faithfully parrot back. I imagine accusations about drugs will play a major role. However, Chavez is smart and clearly has popular support, so this may be a much tougher military job than they expect. Controlling the oil is the main thing for the BFEE - if they succeed in Iraq that becomes the template.

I hope Kerry will not be persuaded to go along with this scheme, should the U.S. election be contested fairly.

[yellowcanine]

10. I don't know - the apparently honest overwhelming defeat for the coup

plotters at the polls has to give even the PNAC crowd pause. It would be a hard sell to say that Chavez is not a legitimate leader after this. This is major blowback. I am sure Karl Rove is wondering what went wrong. Just a foretaste of what he is going to be feeling election night, I hope. I would buy Twinkies stock if I were you.

[daleo]

11. I hope you are right, and the vote was encouraging

I must confess ignorance about the Twinkies reference, though.

[Tempest]

8. The Opposition's Game Plan

Sorry, posted this in the wrong thread.

[burrowowl]

9. Thanks for link!

Viva Chavez!
But unfortunately, it isn't over yet.