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Chavez Readies Troops to Battle U.S. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday said he wants to update military training methods to prepare for a "war of resistance" against U.S. troops. He said Venezuela’s military has begun instilling in soldiers the concept of "asymmetric war" – in which guerrilla tactics like hit–and–run attacks are used to counter a stronger military force. "It’s our responsibility to prepare ourselves for a war of resistance," Chavez said during his weekly broadcast. The U.S. government has repeatedly denied Chavez’s claims that it is considering a military attack to oust him. But Chavez warned U.S. President George W. Bush not to try it. "He would totally bite the dust," Chavez
said. "We are prepared to defend this land whatever it takes." "We have to study this: how does the potential invader make war?" Chavez said. "We must know our adversary." He said the new military philosophy should be based on the thinking of revolutionary heroes who once helped free the country from Spanish rule – as well as "what we invent." Military commanders shouldn’t wait to receive new training manuals, Chavez said, but rather should take initiative in laying out the new military doctrine. "We have to make it all new," he said. Chavez recalled how his close ally Fidel Castro of Cuba personally led troops that routed a CIA–trained force at the Bay of Pigs in 1961. "Fidel Castro is a master of the war of resistance," Chavez said.While frequently criticizing the U.S., Chavez has sought to strengthen the traditional military and open its doors to expanded civilian participation through the reserve and territorial guard. U.S. officials have accused Chavez of being a destabilizing force in the region. But he calls that nonsense, saying he’s simply trying to resist U.S. "imperialism." Chavez, a former army paratroop commander, said the mountains around Caracas provide excellent cover and are "ideal for a war of resistance." He recalled how Indians armed only with bows and arrows once held off the Spanish. Chavez said Venezuela now has three recently bought Russian–made attack helicopters up and running – the first to arrive in deals with Russia for 15 helicopters. The military also expects to receive 33,000 new rifles from Russia in May, out of a total deal for 100,000 Kalashnikovs, Defense Minister Orlando Maniglia said during the program. --------------------------------------------------- Please help our fight against the New World Order by giving a donation. As bandwidth costs increase, the only way we can stay online and expand is with your support. Please consider giving a monthly or one-off donation for whatever you can afford. You can pay securely by either credit card or Paypal. Click here to donate. |
