Chavez: US base in Colombia means war
posted at 7:10 am on May 15, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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The US will likely receive an eviction notice at the end of its ten-year lease from Ecuador for its base in Port Manta. Rumor has the Bush administration negotiating with Colombia to move the only American military base in South America to a peninsula on the Caribbean Sea, near the border with Venezuela. Hugo Chavez vociferously protested that idea, calling it a provocation and warning Alvaro Uribe that Chavez won’t allow it:
President Hugo Chavez on Wednesday warned Colombia not to allow a U.S. military base on its border with Venezuela, saying he would consider such an act an “aggression.”
Chavez said he would not permit Colombia’s U.S.-backed government to establish an American military base in La Guajira, a region spanning northeastern Colombia and northwestern Venezuela.
The Venezuelan leader said if Colombia allows the base, his government will revive a decades-old territorial conflict and stake a claim to the entire region. …
Chavez urged his Colombian counterpart, Alvaro Uribe, to “think it over well” before making such a decision because Venezuela will do “whatever it takes” to ensure that a U.S. military base is not built on the peninsula in the Caribbean Sea.
Currently we have an agreement with Ecuador that runs out in November 2009 that allows us to use Eloy Alfaro Air Base to stage drug-interdiction flights throughout the region. We have as many as 475 military personnel stationed at the bas, and the base primarily looks for drug-runners in boats coming out of Colombia. In 2007, the Manta base caught 200 such transports in approximately 1200 missions.
The US does not want to end this program and surrender to the cartels, but Manta simply won’t be available. Ecuador’s Rafael Correa has refused to negotiate an extension, not surprisingly given his ties to Chavez, but it will be akin to cutting off his nose to spite his face. The US base pumps almost $7 million into the local economy and spent over $70 million refurbishing Eloy Alfaro Air Base. Correa offered a deal: he’d extend the lease if we allowed an Ecuadorian military base in Miami. Bush passed on that offer.
Afterwards, the Bush administration said the US would operate from already-established bases in Key West, El Salvador, and Curacao. However, a closer alliance with Colombia would make sense. First, the trafficking originates there, but strategically, strengthening Colombia and Uribe against Chavez would certainly help contain Venezuela’s nuttiness. Their exposure as a terrorist-supporting regime makes it even more important for the US to pressure Chavez into either retreating or cracking up, and a base near his border would do nicely.
Chavez may discover that he can’t dictate terms to Uribe, especially when he’s busily undermining him by funding FARC. Colombia can do what it likes with its territory, including leasing bases to the US, and particularly when Colombia keeps hearing threats from Caracas.
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Brang it on Biotch!
TheSitRep on May 15, 2008 at 7:16 AM
Another glass of whine, Hugo?
Shy Guy on May 15, 2008 at 7:18 AM
We’ve already got Special Forces operating in Columbia, about 400 in all. Of course these are mostly there to train the Columbian Army and not conduct their own operations. The idea that Chavez is going to “revive” a conflict is pretty rich, since he’s been supporting FARC’s nefarious activities there for years.
Dudley Smith on May 15, 2008 at 7:22 AM
Hugo, baby,…one word…Nutri-system. Get ‘er done……
adamsmith on May 15, 2008 at 7:42 AM
Start the bulldozers.
patrick neid on May 15, 2008 at 7:43 AM
I know the area where the proposed “rumored” base will be; La Guajira. its right up chavez’s ass and sits astride a major smuggling corridor into and out of colombia. the Colombian 10th armored brigade has responsibility for that area and its a doozy besides the FARC presence there is also a hezbollah presence in the area thanks to chavez and the wayuu indians that are being courted by iran.
bring it on!!! the colombians have been gaming a war with chavez for the past 4 years. it’ll take 10 days rip chavez a new one.
elduende on May 15, 2008 at 7:58 AM
A squadron of f-22’s would be just what the doctor ordered.
tazmebro on May 15, 2008 at 8:06 AM
The fact that Hugo “Little Fidel” Chavez is throwing a grand mal hissy fit over a U.S. base in Columbia is all the more reason to put up maybe four or more of them there. How about one great big one, right on the border with Venezuela, complete with tanks, bombs, rockets, the Whole Enchilada?
pilamaye on May 15, 2008 at 8:13 AM
That short guy complex clown needs to get his butt kicked.
BobUSMC on May 15, 2008 at 8:21 AM
It would be very interesting to see the location of Brazilian bases and of Brazilian military exercises around Venezuela. After all, it is Brazil, not Venezuela, that is the largest military power in South America.
chsw
chsw on May 15, 2008 at 8:27 AM
This is beautiful. This fathead has been spewing bile at us for a while now, and we’re just quietly but firmly shoving it right up his ass. And it’s working, because he’s bleating like a lost sheep. Gee, I wonder who will blink first?
fossten on May 15, 2008 at 8:31 AM
What are you going to do about it, Hugo? I’m sure we’ve got a few cruise missles loaded with your address it them. In fact a nice little war that takes out Hugo and very little else might just be what the doctor ordered for Venezuela.
rbj on May 15, 2008 at 8:40 AM
Pretty shrewd move on Hugo’s part. He looks at the tea leaves…ah….Barry is Pres then. He won’t put a base there and provoke anything. The U.S. will abandon the plan and Chavez can puff out his chest and strut around saying he backed down the Great Satan.
Limerick on May 15, 2008 at 8:45 AM
There is hope. Barack Obama can reach out to Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn.
Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn’s adopted son (parents are convicted murderers and fellow weather underground members Kathy Boudin and David Gilbert) Chesa Boudin has a close relationship with the Chavez govt, has co authored a book on Venezuela and been part of a govt advisory team.
Maybe this is the sort of hope and change we can actually believe in.
moxie_neanderthal on May 15, 2008 at 8:46 AM
Perhaps we can cram a tracking device up a Hollywood sycophant’s butt or Chesa Boudin’s and know exactly where to deliver the mail.
Hugo baby, bring it on. Your govt only needs a moderate wind to make it topple and I could use the reduction in gas prices.
moxie_neanderthal on May 15, 2008 at 8:52 AM
You’re darn right it’s aggression. Bring it freaking on!!
Grafted on May 15, 2008 at 8:57 AM
Por que no callate su boca Hugo?!
Lunkinator on May 15, 2008 at 8:59 AM
Sweet!
Jaibones on May 15, 2008 at 9:04 AM
If Obama is elected, there will never be a base. In fact, within a year, Obama will have met Chavez personally and given him guarantees of economic support.
Chavez is a hero to Obama liberal supporters, Obama will have no choice but to capitulate to Chavez’s demands.
right2bright on May 15, 2008 at 9:08 AM
What? the US Empire has signed Agreements and when those agreements expire they just up and move their military out of the country? But they are occupiers their by force, right???
jp on May 15, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Sniff…sniff…I smell sulfur.
whitetop on May 15, 2008 at 9:46 AM
the messiah will probably give him texas too!
right4life on May 15, 2008 at 10:06 AM
OK lets just move the base to Venezuela.
joeswampy on May 15, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Forget the politics - how do I get stationed at this new base?
On a peninsula in the Caribbean? Sign me up, baby.
Bring it on, Hugo.
Professor Blather on May 15, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Looks like we might be looking at more of a sea-based approach. The US Navy is reviving the Fourth Fleet to be assigned to Latin America starting July 1. So, that may be good. I’m also all for additional cooperation with the Colombians and anyone else that is sick of Chavez. We’ve ignored South America to some degree the last few years. Let’s hope that changes. I’m sure that the Fourth Fleet will do us proud.
CP on May 15, 2008 at 10:22 AM
A rancher had three bulls. A big bull that serviced 50 cows, a medium bull that serviced 30 cows and a small bull that serviced 10 cows. One day the rancher brings in a huuuuge bull. The big bull says he can have 30 of my cows. The medium bull says he can have 20 of my cows. The two bulls ask the little bull how many cows he will give the new huge bull. Well, the little bull starts snorting, scratching the ground, and moving his horns around aggressively. The other two bulls ask him what in the hell he is doing. The little bull replies that he just wants the huge bull to know he is a bull.
Hugo is the little bull.
jukin on May 15, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Heh.
They should let the Ecuadorians have their “military base” in Miami. We’ll call it a consulate. Like 475 armed Ecuadorians could make a dent against several million armed civilian Floridians?
Besides, they might learn something. And, hey, they’d get to see Disney World.
Merovign on May 15, 2008 at 10:54 AM
The State Department should send old Hugo a weekly postcard with Manuel Noriega’s photo on it.
“He wants you Malachi!”
ronsfi on May 15, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Your willingness to serve the country is heartwarming.
right2bright on May 15, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Does this clown actually think that any sane person would listen to one word this punk says? No one listens to a babbling fool.
volsense on May 15, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Well, there’s the Dems, Hollywood, Academia, Iran, Olberusedcondom….Come to think of it, maybe your comment should read this way:
“
No oneOnly Dems, Hollywood, Academia, Iran, Olberusedcondomman, etc. listens to a babbling fool, like Yugo.”dmh0667 on May 15, 2008 at 1:31 PM
There’s more to this story. Manta Air Base is being offered to China after the US Air Force is evicted. China’s military presence will replace that of the United States in Ecuador.
Log on May 15, 2008 at 1:37 PM
This is an example of where Chavez would have done himself more good by just shutting up.
There are no US bases in Colombia now, and it is unlikely that the Colombian governemt would have agreed to one…it’s just not something they necessarily want.
While it was possible that Colombia would have agreed to a base it was unlikely; now, however, it becomes more likely because (a) Chavez’ threat amounts to interference in Colombia’s internal affairs (what a change THAT is!), (b) Colombia will not want to be perceived as knuckling under to a threat from Venezuela.
Thus, Pres. Uribe may feel a bit pressured to accept the base, not because of the US desire for the base, but so as to avoid appearing to kowtow to Chavez.
Blaise on May 15, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Now I know who’s really to blame for Katrina.
Christine on May 15, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Incidentally, and I think this will ratchet things up a bit more, INTERPOL has just confirmed what everyone knew about Raul Reyes’ computer (really computers and portable memories).
It’s all legit. It was NOT manipulated by the Colombian, or any other, government. (It’s just out on eltiempo.com if anyone wants to read it).
What it says is that there are over 37,000 text documents, more that 210,000 images and over 10,500 files contained in 610 gigs of information.INTERPOL says 64 people from 15 countries spent 5000 hours analyzing the computers since 4 March 2008, when they received the material, and they say the Colombian government manipulated nothing.
Chavez is saying that Colombia created it all (keeping in mind that it was in the hands of Interpol within 72 hours)Neither Colombia, nor anyone would create or manipulate so many files in so short a time and certainly not well enough to fool INTERPOL experts.
Thus this is bad news for Chavez and Correa, but also creates a dicey situation for Colombia because, you can bet, Chavez will be going off the “deep end” once again.
Blaise on May 15, 2008 at 2:27 PM
How I’d like for Chavez to declare war. That w/b grand. But he never will. Only talk, big talk, and nothing else. Bullies are so easy to address.
Entelechy on May 15, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Declaring war would be a great idea for Chavez. After the coronation of the Obamassiah, Chavez can declare war, then await the surrender of the USA. During the quick peace treaty discussions–conducted with tough, principled diplomacy by the Obamassiah’s minions–assess the resulting reparations due to Venezuala by the USA for damages and hurt feelings.
You think that would make Michelle Obamassiah proud of America too?
iconoclast on May 15, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Hell, I’m retired military, over 60 and service disconnected disabled. Where can I sign up? Match the stuff I’d loose against my pay and I’d be cheap.
Sam
Linh_My on May 15, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Pssst. We don’t need to sit on your boarder to bomb you.
- The Cat
MirCat on May 15, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Didn’t you know that all imperial powers signed lease agreements with the ‘conquered’ nations? That’s what Rome did.
Hugo Chavez talking tough always makes my day. Funny, funny stuff.
MannyT-vA on May 15, 2008 at 9:07 PM
Hmmm… This reminds me of something that was being looked at… what was it???? oh yes:
the Mobile Offshore Base concept.
If I recall correctly, the Navy was considering requesting development of one starting around 2009-2010
(But I still blame Jimmy Carter for giving up the Canal Zone.)
Jones Zemkophill on May 15, 2008 at 9:12 PM