Chavez accuses US of trying to topple Syria gov't
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez gestures as rap singer Rodbexas, right, sings during an event at Teresa Carreno theater in Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday March 29, 2012. / AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos
(AP) CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is accusing the U.S. government and its allies of provoking violence in Syria in an effort to topple its government.
Chavez says he spoke by phone on Friday with his ally Syrian President Bashar Assad. He says Assad told him that more than 2,000 Syrian soldiers have been killed along with a larger number of civilians in what the Venezuelan leader calls a "terrorist plan" to remove Assad from power.
Chavez also says Assad told him that the security situation in Syria is improving and he hopes the situation returns to normal soon.
Popular on CBSNews.com
-
One year after Afghan massacre, villagers work with U.S. troops One year after U.S. Staff Sgt. Robert Bales was accused of slaughtering 16 Afghan civilians, the villagers in the town where the atrocity took place have joined the U.S. special forces stationed there to assist in the fight against the Taliban.
- 50th Paris Air Show 19 Photos
- Celebration and devotion in India 14 Photos
- Somali militants wage deadly attack on U.N. office
- Rare twin birth for gorilla in Dutch zoo Play Video
- One of FBI's Ten Most Wanted nabbed in Mexico
- Afghan gov't halts talks with U.S. on security pact
- Brazil protesters flood Sao Paulo streets for 2nd night
- John Paul II a step closer to sainthood
I believe it, but we cant just be sitting around while Chavez starts destabilizing the region.
Furthermore, his disrespect for world leaders, other than Bush is documented and is unacceptable behavior for a world leader to express without consequences upon him, his family and his nation.
I can understand his anger both for almost being deposed, but also for the hard life he and many of his people have had to endure under economic tyranny, but Venezuela is a wildcard and we have to play to win.
It would be better to approach the US with an open hand while ours is still amenable for friendship because it wont last if he continues to arm and build an army his neighbors will have to repel.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
I am always intrigued with the comments of Americans that come with the distinct tone of their right to intevene or control other parts of the world. YOU need to play the Venezuela wild card???? Who are you to play with the affairs or destiny of any nation other than your own? The American arrogance is shown in Pat Robertson's comments on Chavez, "But this man is a terrific danger and the United States, this is our sphere of influence and we can't let this happen ... We have the Monroe Doctrine. We have other doctrines that we have announced. And without question this is a dangerous enemy to our south, controlling a huge pool of oil ... We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability."
Instead of your "wild card", the U.S. has always treated Latin America as its backyard and manipulated it to impose its own interests with little or no regard for the welfare of those nations or their people. The Monroe Doctrine was only a ploy to insert American power into the void left by the expulsion of Spain from the area.
It's time for America and Americans to start looking that the enormous mote in their own eye and step back from the affairs of others. The U.S. put Pinochet in power, for Godssake. It eliminates an impressive list of duly elected Latin American presidents. It ried the same with Chavez. Well, Venezuela is shouting back at you that it is not your back yard and has no desire for your presence or influence. Please listen.
While the U.S. battles over universal health care, Venezuela has it. While Americans suffer with rising gasoline prices, Venezuelans fill their tank for five dollars. While recent studies show that one half of all Americans now live in poverty, Venezuela has opened special stores with lower prices for its poor and added amendments to its constitution for their protection. As America expresses concerns over its sagging quality of education, Venezuela's education standards have risen every year for the past eight years.
If you've never been there, your criticisms and brutally cruel remarks are formed from opinions created by the media infected by the Washington propaganda machine. Chavez is simply a man who came from absolute poverty as a shoeless child to rise through the military ranks until he entered politics. His programs have consistently benefitted the citizens of his nation but he is also the leader who had the courage to say "enough" to the U.S. corporate control of his nation. That prompted the official hatred campaign against him and it is no more valid than most of Washington's campaigns.
Furthermore, his disrespect for world leaders, other than Bush is documented and is unacceptable behavior for a world leader to express without consequences upon him, his family and his nation.
I can understand his anger both for almost being deposed, but also for the hard life he and many of his people have had to endure under economic tyranny, but Venezuela is a wildcard and we have to play to win.
It would be better to approach the US with an open hand while ours is still amenable for friendship because it wont last if he continues to arm and build an army his neighbors will have to repel.