According to the Associated Press:
“Colombia’s defense chief joked Monday that Venezuelan troops might have mistaken Santa’s sleigh for a spy plane, dismissing accusations by President Hugo Chavez about drones flying over Venezuela.
“Chavez on Sunday accused the United States of violating Venezuela’s airspace with an unmanned spy plane and ordered his military to be on alert and shoot down any such aircraft.
“The Pentagon has declined to comment on Chavez’s accusations.
“Colombian Defense Minister Gabriel Silva and armed forces commander Freddy Padilla told reporters Monday that Colombian aircraft couldn’t fly the kind of espionage mission described by Chavez.
“‘Colombia doesn’t have that capability’, said Silva. He quipped that perhaps ‘Venezuelan soldiers mistook Father Christmas’ sleigh for a spy plane.’”
Read the rest of the story here
Tensions between the South American neighbors have worsened since Colombia and the US signed a deal earlier this year giving US troops greater access to seven Colombian military bases for the next ten years. A WTF move in its own right that has been universally criticized by South American leadership and clearly undermines the Obama administration’s efforts to clean up America’s image abroad. Chavez claims Colombia is allowing the United States to use its military bases to plan for an attack on Venezuela and is preparing his country for that very scenario.
The two countries insist US troops are in Colombia only for the purpose of helping anti-drug efforts.
Last week, Colombia activated seven new army battalions, including two along its border with Venezuela, according to Columbia Reports website. Colombia’s defense minister said his country was preparing defenses against a military attack, according to the same website.
Why would we help Colombia spy on Venezuela? Well, besides Chavez being a Marxist thorn in the side of capitalists everywhere and calling Obama an “ignoramus,” I would say it has something to do with the fact Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in South America.
posted by: Harold Johns III
Tags: communication, culture, politics, war
