Castro Warns US : Hands Off Venezuela - Political Forum

joep182 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-01-2007, 04:38 PM

Reflections on Venezuela: A People Under Fire | venezuelanalysis.com

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Reflections on Venezuela: A People Under Fire
December 1st 2007, by Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro (Prensa Latina) Venezuela, whose people are heirs to Bolivar's ideas which transcend his era, is today facing a world tyranny a thousand times more powerful than that of Spain's colonial strength added to that of the recently born United States which, through Monroe, proclaimed their right to the natural wealth of the continent and to the sweat of its people.

Marti denounced the brutal system and called it a monster, in whose entrails he had lived. His internationalist spirit shone as never before when, in a letter left unfinished due to his death in combat, he publicly revealed the objective of his restless struggle: "…I am now every day risking my life for my country, and for my duty -since I understand it and have the courage to do it- to timely prevent, with the independence of Cuba, that the United States expand over the Antilles and that they fall, with this additional force, over our lands in America…"

It was not in vain that he stated in plain verse: "With the poor of this earth, my fate I wish to cast". Later, he proclaimed categorically: "Humanity is homeland". The Apostle of our independence wrote one day: "Let Venezuela call on me to serve her: I am her son".

The most sophisticated media developed by technology, employed to kill human beings and to subjugate or exterminate peoples; the massive sowing of conditioned reflexes of the mind; consumerism and all available resources; these are being used today against the Venezuelans, with the intent of ripping the ideas of Bolivar and Marti to shreds.

The empire has created conditions conducive to violence and internecine conflicts. On Chavez's recent visit last November 21, I seriously discussed with him the risks of assassination as he is constantly out in the open in convertible vehicles. I said this because of my experience as a combatant trained in the use of an automatic weapon and a telescopic sight. Likewise, after the triumph, I became the target of assassination plots directly or indirectly ordered by almost every United States administration since 1959.

The irresponsible government of the empire does not stop for a minute to think that the assassination of Venezuela's leader or a civil war in that country would blow up the globalized world economy, due to its huge reserves of hydrocarbons. Such circumstances are without precedent in the history of mankind.

Cuba developed close ties with the Bolivarian government of Venezuela during the hardest days resulting from the demise of the USSR and the tightening of the United States economic blockade. The exchange of goods and services grew from practically zero level to more than 7 billion dollars annually, with great economic and social benefits for both our peoples. Today that is where we receive the fundamental supplies of fuel needed for our country's consumption, something that would be very difficult to obtain from other sources due to the shortage of light crude oil, the insufficient refining capacity, the United States' power and the wars its has unleashed to seize the world oil and gas reserves.

Add to the high energy prices, the prices of foods destined by imperial policy to be transformed into fuel for the gas-guzzling cars of the United States and other industrial nations.

A victory of the Yes vote on December 2 would not be enough. The weeks and months following that date may very well prove to be extremely tough for many countries, Cuba for one; although before that the empire's adventures could lead the planet into an atomic war, as their own leaders have confessed.

Our compatriots can rest assured that I have had time to think and to meditate at length on these problems.

Fidel Castro Ruz

November 29, 2007

Chavez probably should be more careful, though he is a man of the people there is a US backed terrorist rogue element that would love to do him harm. I am no dount there are people on this forum who would like to see democracy defeated in Venezuela, these people would prefer a subservient dictatorship they could do business with. If attacking Iran would inflate the global economy enough, this could all but destroy it. And killing Chavez would only strengthen the resolve of the Chavistas (all over the world). You would have a new Che Guevare, an icon who in death could recruit more people to his cause than possibly could have alive. I hope the US and the trouble makers in Venezuela think before they do anything foolish.

No More "W's" · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-2007, 07:41 PM

Oh gosh, I hope Cuba doesn't decide to attack us to defend this idiot. The laughter alone would do us in. If Chavez isn't careful he'll have his own people driving the same cars they have now 40 years from now.

joep182 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2007, 07:45 PM

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Originally Posted by No More "W's"

Oh gosh, I hope Cuba doesn't decide to attack us to defend this idiot. The laughter alone would do us in. If Chavez isn't careful he'll have his own people driving the same cars they have now 40 years from now.

If you think Cuba is going to attack you or has any plans to you oviously haven't understood the article.

No More "W's" · #4 (**permalink**) 12-01-2007, 07:47 PM

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Originally Posted by joep182

If you think Cuba is going to attack you or has any plans to you oviously haven't understood the article.

You ain't been around me much. I can spell.

Caltex · #5 (**permalink**) 12-01-2007, 07:56 PM

While I think we shouldn't get involved. I think it's hilarious that Fidel thinks that we'd give a shit what he says. Cuba can't even afford to feed it's own people, let alone "scare" us.

Caltex · #6 (**permalink**) 12-01-2007, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joep182

Reflections on Venezuela: A People Under Fire | venezuelanalysis.com

Chavez probably should be more careful, though he is a man of the people there is a US backed terrorist rogue element that would love to do him harm. I am no dount there are people on this forum who would like to see democracy defeated in Venezuela, these people would prefer a subservient dictatorship they could do business with. If attacking Iran would inflate the global economy enough, this could all but destroy it. And killing Chavez would only strengthen the resolve of the Chavistas (all over the world). You would have a new Che Guevare, an icon who in death could recruit more people to his cause than possibly could have alive. I hope the US and the trouble makers in Venezuela think before they do anything foolish.

He's a tyrant. He rules by demagoguery. Trying to scare and manipulate his people into amending their constitution so that he can rule even longer. He might have been elected, but that doesn't make him a man of the people. His activism is bad for his nation, and is done in his own self interests.

He wants to be voted to be President for life. Sure a real man of the people.

joep182 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-01-2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caltex

While I think we shouldn't get involved. I think it's hilarious that Fidel thinks that we'd give a shit what he says. Cuba can't even afford to feed it's own people, let alone "scare" us.

Really ? I haven't heard the stories about starving Cubans. The difficulties Cuba does face might have more to do with having to import things from the other end of the world, that could be purchased on their doorstep.

And Fidel doesn't have to scare you, that's your own government and medias job. All he has done is warn of the consequences of killing Chavez - it would not be good for anyone.

No More "W's" · #8 (**permalink**) 12-01-2007, 08:08 PM

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Originally Posted by joep182

Really ? All he has done is warn of the consequences of killing Chavez - it would not be good for anyone.

I have a feeling that even if Chavez wins that it won't last as long as even we think. Venezuela will probably solve this without our intervention.

joep182 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-01-2007, 08:19 PM

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Originally Posted by Caltex

He's a tyrant. .

In what ways ?

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Originally Posted by Caltex

He rules by demagoguery.

If representing the wishes of the people makes you a demagogue then President Chavez is guilty as charged.

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Originally Posted by Caltex

Trying to scare and manipulate his people into amending their constitution so that he can rule even longer.

How does he scare and manipulate ? Do you care whether the constitutional reforms are good or bad for the country, or is it just that Chavez is the man pushing them throw ? Are you aware that the proposed changes will effectively give the Venezuelan government the same powers as the British government ? I would suggest that the Venezuelan people allowing their government the same powers as we do may be quite a good thing. We in Britain are doing not too badly after all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caltex

He might have been elected, but that doesn't make him a man of the people.

If he weren't a man of the people hundreds of thousands would not turn out to hear him speak and people would not have brought him from prison to the Presidency.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caltex

His activism is bad for his nation, and is done in his own self interests.

Why is it bad for the nation ? Sorry for all the questions, but you have made so many sweeping statements that aren't backed up in any way. I would say he has been excellent for his country. Try telling the people who couldn't read but now can, who had no access to a doctor but now do, who were hungry but now full that Chavez is bad for their country.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caltex

He wants to be voted to be President for life. Sure a real man of the people.

What Chavez says is if the Venezuelan people want him to lead them for life he is willing to serve them. So yes that propably does make him a man of the people.

joep182 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-01-2007, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by No More "W's"

I have a feeling that even if Chavez wins that it won't last as long as even we think. Venezuela will probably solve this without our intervention.

Well the majority of the Venezuelan people want Chavez as their President, so when you say Venezuela will solve this what you really mean is Venezuelan terrorists ???