Venezuelan gov unveils new coup plan (Updated III)

by rahul | September 11, 2008 at 08:20 am

427 views | 4 Recommendations | 2 comments

UPDATES: It was reported that three military plotters scaped to Bonaire in the Caribbean later today. Few other military men involved in the coup -José Labarca Soto, Sánchez Ruperto Chiquinquirá and Brito Lombardero- were summoned to their Attorney Office to submit their declaration this morning. Venezuelan Defence Minister, Jose Gustavo Rangel, stated there was not witch hunting at the military barracks over the coup plans.

During a televised message to the nation, Venezuela President Hugo Chavez aired the video showing the phone conversation of retired and active military men who planned a coup against his government and the assassination of the head of State. President Chavez also recalled the similarities between the Venezuelan oil coup by opposition leader at PDVSA during 2003 and current events in Bolivia. He also made US Bush administration, the local opposition and oligarchy (2 D group) responsible for the intended coup and destabilising efforts in left leaning government of Latin America. Finally, Chavez informed that his security and intelligence forces have already taken control of the situation. Thus, it was under control and the country should remain calm, he added.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Hugo Chavez has ordered an investigation into a purported plot to assassinate him and topple his government....Chavez ordered his defense minister to investigate the alleged conspiracy involving a vice admiral from his inner circle and other former military officers. «Evidently, there's a conspiracy,» Chavez said on state television, according to a government statement. «We've been following this for some time. As of Thursday morning, no one was detained in the case, Justice Minister Tarek El Aissami said.....Chavez survived a 2002 failed coup and often has accused opponents of trying to oust him again.....Chavez called his opponents «little Yankees» and said they are following orders from Washington. He has repeatedly accused President George W. Bush's administration of backing coup-plots. American officials deny it.

Venezuelan Minister for information, Andres Izarra, also denounced that private TV media has not distributed or published information on the intended coup at all. Minister Izarra also blamed the 2-D opposition group for the plan to overthrow the government. Few days ago, the opposition had claimed its ideas were not promoted by public service TV stations or official media.

Caracas, Venezuela, 11 September 2008. This morning, the Venezuelan government unveiled a video showing both retired military men - Generals Millán Millán, Wilfredo Barroso Herrera and Eduardo Báez Torrealba- and civilian planning a coup against President Hugo Chavez Frías. The coup plans intended to take over local TV stations and the Government Palace Miraflores as well as killing President Chavez. F-16 planes would be used to deter a governmental reaction during the coup.

Later today, the Chavez´s administration blamed the US Bush government for the new coup plans. Yesterday, three Russian planes arrived in Venezuela in advance of fleet that would perform joint military exercises in the Caribbean. Such activity is the reaction to the presence of the US Fourth Fleet in Latin America and the strategic partnership between Venezuela and Russia.

The video was first aired last night by pro government TV anchor Mario Silvia in his daily show La Hojilla. It then prompted the action the government. Last Sunday, President Chavez himself informed on new plans to kill him and overthrow his government.

Sources: VTV, Globovision,YVKE, Telesur.

rahul, I like this story. It's good stuff.

NowPublic

World

Venezuelan gov unveils new coup plan (Updated III)

Videos