Chavez warns of war with Colombia

Chavez warns of war with Colombia
http://www.latinamericanpost.com/index.php?mod=seccion&secc=1&conn=5267
Latin American Post, March 6, 2008

Summary:

Ecuador and Venezuela ordered troops to the Colombian boarder after a highly ranked rebel general was killed in Ecuador by the Colombian government without the coconscious of Ecuadorian government. The president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez says he will take military action if Colombia violates the boarder. The tensions between the countries greatened after this assault because the Colombians have long complained that the rebels were able to take refugee after an attack across the boarder. Chavez however, was backing the rebels of the Colombian government and stated that the attack on the rebel camp was a “massacre” and they were "bombed and massacred as they slept, using precision technology." Chavez now threatens the start of a South American war, if tensions do not subside.


Reaction:
A) This article relates to the AP World History theme of “state building, expansion, and conflict” because I believe that the reason for Chavez to be backing the Colombian rebels is in hope to overthrow the American-backed democracy of Colombia. By doing so, Chavez would be able to work with the government and eliminate American influence in Colombian government.

B) Rebels in Colombia have been trying to overthrow the government and pursue towards a government similar to that of Venezuela’s. The reason for Colombia to go into Ecuador was to take out a major rebel leader, in hopes to seize evidence that Chavez has been backing the Rebels. However, Ecuador was irritated that they perused the rebel camps within their boarders without their coconscious and approval, therefore also adding to the tensions and supplying soldiers at Colombian boarders.

C) I believe that this article is written from the point of view of someone backing Chavez because the author continues to quote and state that the attack was a “massacre” and that the Colombian government killed also innocent women at the rebel camp, and that “they wanted to show off the trophy".

D) I definitely believe that the authors’ point of view is bias in favor of Chavez and the rebels due to the reference to viciously bombing the camp and the inconvenience of the military inclusion in Ecuador. Also, because the author of this article in living in Colombia which could have some influence in his writing.

E) To get a better understanding and a full outlook on the situation at hand, it would probably be helpful to hear the point of view from a rebel and their reaction to the attack. Also, to hear from the American government would be helpful as well because they are in favor of the Colombian government and also have tensions with Chavez and Venezuela.

F) I really enjoyed and appreciated this article because in the news mostly a lot of the focus is in the war in Iraq and recently this bombing of the rebels camps occurred and opened the worlds eyes to very important issue occurring in South America. Also, I found it very interested that America backed Colombia in order to fight cocaine and drug powers within the country. I personally believe that some influence on Chavez’s opinions of America is based on the fact that he wants to get involved with the smuggling of cocaine, which the American government happens to be standing in the way in. I think that Chavez is now taking this as a “perfect opportunity” to cause conflict and exaggerate the situation in order to gain more power over Colombia. Hopefully, tensions will soon be resolved and an outburst of war with not engage in South America.