Why 2012 is a critical year for the US and Venezuela, the narco-state on our doorstep
By Roger Noriega
From: Fox News
Roger Noriega |
Venezuela’s
dictator Hugo Chávez was informed five years ago that his close ally
Gen. Henry Rangel Silva – the man whom he recently named Defense
Minister – is involved in cocaine smuggling.
Rangel Silva’s appointment to that key security post – coming on the
heels of the return of Chávez henchman Diosdado Cabello to senior
political posts – indicates that narco-generals are positioning
themselves to hold on to power in spite of elections scheduled for
October.
Any hope for a democratic transition this year will depend on
extraordinary courage of the opposition and increased solidarity from
the international community.
An official document from the archives of the Ministry of Defense, disclosed by the Miami newspaper El Nuevo Herald,
shows that Chávez was notified on January 10, 2007, of “sufficient
evidence linking” Rangel Silva to a November 2005 shipment of 2.2 tons
of cocaine.
Rangel Silva’s involvement might have gone undetected, except for the
fact that the driver of the truck carrying the contraband was his
cousin, Edgar Alfonso Rincón Rangel. Efforts to prosecute Rincón and
several senior military officers were apparently derailed suspiciously,
suggesting a high-level cover-up.
Rangel Silva’s association with narco-trafficking is well-known. For
example, the U.S. government designated him a drug kingpin in 2008, and
his cordial ties to Colombian narco-guerrilla leaders were discovered in
captured computer files.
The revelation in the El Nuevo Herald article is a document proving
that Chávez has played a personal role in hiding the crime for years and
promoting the criminal to several senior military posts.
It is no surprise that such official complicity has made Venezuela a critical hub for smuggling cocaine to Central America, Mexico, the United States, Caribbean, West Africa and Europe. This evidence confirms that Chávez has made Venezuela a narco-state.
As expected, military leaders are taking the reins of power as they
learn the truth about Chávez’s mortal illness. Although civilian
Chavistas or most military officers may be able to ride out a transition
after their leader’s death, those involved in narco-trafficking have no
“Plan B.” They either retain power at all costs or risk ending up in an
orange jumpsuit a la Manuel Antonio Noriega.
Cabello’s new role as head of Chávez’s party and the National Assembly is the narcos’ insurance policy. He is a military man who commands the trust of Rangel Silva and the other kingpin soldiers.
A power struggle within the military is inevitable.
Chávez’s 13-year revolution has corrupted all of the country’s
civilian institutions. He has promoted military officers based on
loyalty and cemented that loyalty by cutting them in on massive
corruption.
Nevertheless, on two occasions in recent years, senior officers have
insisted that Chávez respect the constitution and independence of the
military.
It remains to be seen whether these “institutionalists” will stand by
if the narco-generals try to scuttle the election process, especially
if Venezuelans take to the streets to prevent such a power grab.
The democratic opposition is unified like never before. And they
think they can win power – particularly if Chávez dies or falters.
They are expected to close ranks behind a presidential nominee chosen
in a February 12 primary. As the opposition gains momentum – especially
if Chávez dies before the October election – Chavista hardliners and
the narco-generals may make their move through stepped-up oppression or
overt aggression against the democratic process.
Although the opposition is content to fight its own battle, some
international solidarity should be expected – particularly if criminal
gangsters attempt to deny Venezuelans the right to choose their own
leader.
They will have to look for their Latin American brothers to defend the democratic process by rejecting a narco-golpe.
Although Washington appears remarkably passive now in the face of
these threatening events, there is some hope that the United States will
fall in behind Latin solidarity. Of course, only the United States has
the muscle to demand that Chávez’s allies in Moscow, Beijing, Teheran,
and Havana let Venezuelans resolve their own affairs.
If Chávez succumbs to cancer as many expect, in the next seven to nine months, a certain degree of chaos will likely ensue.
What remains to be seen is whether Venezuela’s democrats and their
shy friends in neighboring countries will rise to the challenge and seek
to save their country. If that does not happen, a narco-state will dig
in and pose an even greater threat to all concerned.
U.S. law enforcement agencies have led the way in dealing with
Chávez’s criminality, which is only part of his asymmetrical threat to
our interests and security. However, unless we want to see a bad
situation get worse in Venezuela, our entire national security apparatus
must step up this challenge.
Etiquetas: narcoestado
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