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Chavez predicts resistance war
with U.S.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
reviews troops during the commemoration of the Day of the Army and the
battle of Carabobo, in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday. Chavez departs
Tuesday for his weeklong tour to Iran, Russia and Belarus, defiantly
insisting that he will purchase Russian submarines and possibly an air
defense system from Belarus, despite vocal objections from Washington.
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Hugo Chavez urged soldiers on Sunday
to prepare for a guerrilla-style war against the United States, saying
that Washington is using psychological and economic warfare as part of
an unconventional campaign aimed at derailing his government.
Dressing in olive green fatigues and a red beret, Chavez spoke inside
Tiuna Fort — Venezuela's military nerve-center — before hundreds of
uniformed soldiers standing alongside armored vehicles and tanks
decorated with banners reading: "Fatherland, Socialism, or Death! We
will triumph!"
"We must continue developing the resistance war, that's the
anti-imperialist weapon. We must think and prepare for the resistance
war everyday," said Chavez, who has repeatedly warned that American
soldiers could invade Venezuela to seize control of the South American
nation's immense oil reserves.
U.S. officials reject claims that Washington is considering a military
attack. But the U.S. government has expressed concern over what it
perceives as a significant arms built-up here.
Chavez — a close ally of Cuban leader Fidel Castro — told soldiers the
Washington was trying to weaken and divide Venezuelan society, including
the armed forces, without resorting to combat.
"It's not just armed warfare," said Chavez, a former army officer who is
leading what he calls the "Bolivarian Revolution," a socialist movement
named after 19th-century independence hero Simon Bolivar. "I'm also
referring to psychological warfare, media warfare, political warfare,
economic warfare."
Under Chavez, Venezuela has recently purchased some $3 billion worth of
arms from Russia, including 53 military helicopters, 100,000 Kalashnikov
rifles, 24 SU-30 Sukhoi fighter jets.
Last week, Chavez said he is considering arms purchases, including
submarines and a missile-equipped air defense system, as he prepares for
a tour of Russia, Belarus and Iran.
"We are strengthening Venezuela's military power precisely to avoid
imperial aggressions and assure peace, not to attack anybody," he said
Sunday.
Source: Usa Today.
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