HANDS OFF VENEZUELA
Ruth Hunter

"Another World Is Possible"---this is the yearning for change south
of the border. At social forums, these left leaning countries who challenge
the FTAA, (Free Trade Agreement of the Americas) are a thorn in the side of
the powerful North. The democratically elected Venezuelan President, Hugo
Chavez, a leading proponent, is being demonized in the US press for attacks
on neoliberalism, which contains a trade agreement for the Western
Hemisphere. This is "a package of economic policies that include
privatization, labor flexibility, debt repayment, balanced budgets and trade
liberalization The struggle in the South is based on economic justice,
political equality and personal dignity". (Tom Lewis, editorial page of the Intıl Socialist Review).

FTAA is only the tip of the iceberg rejected by some of the South
American countries. Before socialist programs infect the Western Hemisphere,
according to Professor Emeritus, James Petras, plans are in the wings for a
regime change in Venezuela. It has the fifth largest reserves of oil, trades
with Cuba, China, Iran, in addition to U.S. and South America neighbors;
Chavez is against the present form of the FTAA, defying the oligarchy and
the corporations, including the Bush Administration. These are serious
challenges supported by Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and likely Bolivia. In
addition the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezula, sharing oil profits for programs that
promise a better quality of life for the poor, is a threat to capitalist North.

In June 2005, Petras warned that Columbia was harassing its neighbor,
challenging its sovereignty. It began with a minor incident that got blown
up into a nasty border dispute. Granda, a leftist organizer in Columbia,
crossed the border fleeing for his life from the Columbia paramilitary. This
was not the first time the border had been crossed by Columbia. The dispute
spread beyond the borders.

The incident was a challenge. Chavez recalled its ambassador,
suspended commercial and political agreements until he receiveed an apology
for the incursion on Venezuelan soil. It also appears that U.S. has given
Columbia unconditional support. When U.S. Embassador Wo was interviewed he
said, " We endorse President Uribeıs action 100%". This action, disregard
for the sovereign borders, could have dire consequences, both politically
and economically for all of South America. Perhaps most alarming for
Venezuela and other countries is the new Uribe Doctrine based on the
rationalization of "National Security. It contains the following:

1.The right to violate any countryıs sovereignty; the use of force and

violence directly or in cooperation with local mercenaries.

2. The right to recruit and subvert military and security officials to
serve the interests of Columbia.

3.The right to allocate funds to bounty hunters or "third parties" to
engage illegal violent acts within a target country

4. The assertion of the supremacy of Colombian laws, decrees and
policies over and against the sovereign laws of the intervened country.

The U.S. has increased military aid to $3 billion in support of the
military policies of Columbia. The White House is once again using low
intensity warfare, i.e. as it did with Nicaragua and the contras. The U.S.
keeps its hands clean while Columbia does its dirty work. This activity is
a large scale build up for a regime change in Venezuela, according to
Petras. He elaborates on the following arguments to prove his point.

1 .Venezuela opposes the FTAA, the Iraq war, the occupation of Iran, and
the threats against the Iranian uranium enrichment program.

2. Venezuela has established trade with Cuba; if it can be destroyed,
finally the U.S. can undermine the Cuban Revolution.

3. Columbia is working with the U.S. who wants to be the sole recipient
of Venezuela oil.

4. Uribe is disturbed by the positive effects the social programs in
Venezuela will have upon the poor in Columbia, just as the U.S. sees this as a threat to capitalism.

It is time to contact our lawmakers in Congress. It is time to advocate
for "Hands off Venezuela". It is time for the American people to demand that
our foreign policy begins to change. It is time the American people take
back our country to stop the killing. It is time to turn our nation around
and respect the sovereignty of all countries, reverse the role of occupier.
It is time for all of us to embody compassion, to reach out to all nations
in peace and friendship.