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Chavez Masses Troops at Colombia Border

Leader warns Venezuelans to 'prepare for war'

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 10, 2009 2:15 AM CST
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(Newser) – Hugo Chavez has told the Venezuelan people to "prepare for war" and ordered 15,000 troops to the Colombian border. The leader told his soldiers to "defend this sacred nation called Venezuela," and accused Colombia of conspiring with the US to invade and grab the country's oil reserves. Colombia plans to complain to the UN and the Organization of American States over the threats.

Chavez has been a fierce critic of a recent US-Colombia troops pact which he sees as part of a plot to destabilize his leftist government. Posturing and threats from Chavez are generally so common as to raise little alarm, the Independent notes, but the war of words with Colombia has been accompanied by a rise in violence, including the killing of 11 Colombians near the border last month. Venezuelan officials say the men were paramilitaries training for an invasion, while Colombian authorities say they were members of a soccer team.

A Venezuelan soldier stands behind a map showing the deployment of troops along the Colombian border in Cedeno, Venezuela, last week.
A Venezuelan soldier stands behind a map showing the deployment of troops along the Colombian border in Cedeno, Venezuela, last week.   (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez waves to supporters in Acarigua, Venezuela.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez waves to supporters in Acarigua, Venezuela.   (AP Photo/Miraflores Press Office)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 39 comments
Face-Of-RNC
Nov 16, 2009 4:33 AM CST
Chavez suspended the license of radio stations that were calling for violent overthrow ofthe government. The U. S. government would do the same thing. Also, he has not declared himself president for life. Every proposal he has made has been voted on by the people, and he has been voted down on some of his proposals. You don't know a god damn thing about Venezuela except what the U. S. government wants you to know. So get an education.
njgreen
Nov 14, 2009 4:14 AM CST
Does removing the bloodsuckers from the neck of the people including suspending freedom of press and making yourself president for life?
Fondue
Nov 13, 2009 2:33 AM CST
Neocons are not a race. Your submission to feeling inferior because of a strangers comments on a news board is your own doing. You allowed that to happen; it wasn't forced on you. And last I checked that doesn't qualify as a racial characteristic exclusive to neocons, or actual races and nationalities. You feign discrimination sir. It shows you are truly a charlatan and weak minded. No wonder you regress to being an asshole and brag about it.

 
Latin America • Venezuela • Colombia • Hugo Chavez

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