HUGO CHAVEZ TO TAKE ON THE NETHERLAND ANTILLES
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez is preparing to finalize a deal to buy as many as nine Russian submarines this month. The deal includes five 636-type Kilo-class subs and four 677E Amur subs. Both are advanced diesel subs, and 677 represents the latest generation of post-Cold War Russian technology, which has not yet even been delivered to Russia's own fleet.
The deal is just the latest in Chávez's push for rapid militarization. Flush with oil money, Chávez has spent $3.4 billion on Russian arms since 2005, including the purchase of 24 fighter planes, 35 helicopters, air defense capabilities, and 100,000 small arms.
However, Chávez may be up to something more sinister. He bills himself as the 21st century's Fidel Castro. As Condi Rice says, Chávez "can't intimidate the United States in any fashion."
Bay thinks it out this way: Chavez isn't stupid...Venezuelan fighters could easily strike the Antilles. Frighteningly, the Netherlands has started stockpiling its islands with naval forces, F-16 fighter jets, helicopters, and an infantry battalion.
(source)
The deal is just the latest in Chávez's push for rapid militarization. Flush with oil money, Chávez has spent $3.4 billion on Russian arms since 2005, including the purchase of 24 fighter planes, 35 helicopters, air defense capabilities, and 100,000 small arms.
Why does Chávez need all of this hardware?
He says he needs it to defend against America's evil empire.
However, Chávez may be up to something more sinister. He bills himself as the 21st century's Fidel Castro. As Condi Rice says, Chávez "can't intimidate the United States in any fashion."
But he may use his newly acquired military power to enforce land claims against Colombia, Guyana, and the most menacing of all global hyperpowers—the Netherlands. The Dutch still rule islands such as Aruba and Curacao located off Venezuela's Northern coast.
But would Chávez really try to reclaim these territories?
Bay thinks it out this way: Chavez isn't stupid...Venezuelan fighters could easily strike the Antilles. Frighteningly, the Netherlands has started stockpiling its islands with naval forces, F-16 fighter jets, helicopters, and an infantry battalion.
(source)
4 comments:
that is why china comes into the equation. the land deal is in the process. as early as next spring netherlands will hand aruba over to china. hugo is afraid of china period.
I am sure the rumor is true. With the backing of the State Department, China is allowed to rent Aruba from Holland for 50 years. Joran will be arrested as a result of it.
It's also known that Chavez can use the undersea coral rock caves beneath Aruba to hide his submarine fleet without Netherland's knowledge. The deepsea trenches geological structure between Venezuela coast and the island.
I have been "singing this song" for quite some time. I find it interesting that with all their blather against the family and the boycott - Julia nor MIP6 - ever seem to have anything at all to say about the looming threat from Venezuela.
Considering all things - I look for the Netherlands to simply let him have the islands. The U.S. will agree because it will put an almost immediate stop to the free trade zone and Aruba's contribution to the American drug problem.
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