Calm Down, Chávez
War-mongering Venezuela is stirring up trouble down south again. But will he really go to war with Colombia this time around?
Hugo Chávez's Sunday TV and radio program Aló Presidente is not exactly known for its brevity or reassuring tone. The Venezuelan president's chief communications vehicle -- the 21st century, socialist version of FDR's notably less incendiary "fireside chats" -- often signals his preferred next steps in the 11th year of his grandiose "Bolivarian" reformation of the country. So it was cause for concern when Chávez used last Sunday's program to declare in his characteristically combative style, "Let's not waste a day in our main aim to prepare for war and help the people prepare for war." In a politically unsettled and polarized South America, where arms purchases have nearly doubled over the past five years, reaching almost $50 billion last year, could his Venezuela be the spark needed to light a conflict?
more info:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/11/10/calm_down_chavez
