Chavez threatens to militarize the border with Colombia

[Joe Chi Minh]

Source: nouvelobs.com

The Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, threatened, Saturday 19 January, to militarize the border with Colombia. Such a militarization would serve to combat the smuggling of goods subsidized by Caracas to its neighbour.

In a speech at Quibor, in the State of Lara, Hugo Chazez stated: "I have given orders that if the National Guard fails to monitor our border roads and motorways, and we have to send the whole army to put an end to the smuggling, then we will do it."

Addressing a meetings of producers, he added: "If the people and reserve battalions have to be armed, so be it."

Read more: http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/actualites/international/

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I found the item above in a French online magazine, but actually, I was more interested in another headline I'd spotted earlier, but hadn't had the sense to read the article under it at the time, and now can't find it. Imo, their search function is worthless - even granted My IT competencies are sorely challenged.

However, this headline stated that Ugo had threatened the banks that if they failed to make funds available to the farmers, presumably, the newly-created small-holders, he would nationalize them! Go get 'em, Ugo!

[Judi Lynn]

1. I found an article covering the agricultural loan from banks story, although, as always,

anything from the wire services always follows the Trojan Horse model of purporting to be bringing news while loading in a ton of perpetually repeating obligatory right-wing ((((((( spin ))))))):

Sunday January 20, 2008

Chavez threatens to take control of Venezuelan banks that fail to finance agriculture

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP):President Hugo Chavez threatened on Saturday to take control of banks that fail to meet state-imposed lending requirements designed to benefit Venezuela's farmers.

Chavez, who says he is leading Venezuela toward "21st century socialism,'' accused many private banks of neglecting laws requiring them to set aside nearly a third of all loans for agriculture, mortgages and small businesses at favorable rates.

"The law must be applied,'' said Chavez during a televised meeting with farmers. Any bank that doesn't comply with these lending requirements "should be seized.'' Spokesmen for Venezuela's major banks did not immediately return calls from The Associated Press. Offices were closed on Saturday night.

Chavez _ a close ally of Cuban leader Fidel Castro _ also announced that his government approved new legislation establishing a maximum interest rate of 15 percent on agriculture-related loans and extending payment deadlines for such credit from 3 to 20 years.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/1/20/apworld/20080120215717&sec=apworld