[A-List] Venezuela Thwarts Coup Plot Organized In US, Colombia

[Rick Rozoff <r_rozoff@xxxxxxxxx>]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-05/15/content_1471349.htm

Xinhua News Agency (China)
May 15, 2004

Venezuela says thwarted plot against Chavez


-Chavez said Wednesday that the paramilitaries plot
originated in Miami, the United States, and Colombia.


CARACAS - Venezuela said Friday that it has thwarted a
"counter-revolutionary plot" involving up to 500
Colombian paramilitaries to overthrow President Hugo
Chavez.

Defense Minister Jose Garcia Carneiro said more than
100 illegals from Colombia have been arrested since
Sunday, mostly at a ranch on the southern outskirts of
the capital, Caracas.

Their first operation was to attack the Miraflores
Presidential Palace, governmental offices and military
facilities, the ministersaid.

Although only documents, but no guns, were seized from
the illegal paramilitaries, the minister said it would
still press charges against them.

On Thursday, Garcia told the official VTV channel that
the Colombian illegals could face sentences ranging
from 20 to 30 years in prison.

He said 12 active-duty military officers had been
called to testify, and three of them were detained and
one accused.

Venezuelan Interior Vice Minister Carlos Betiol said
it was logic that the Colombian paramilitaries did not
have the weapons with them, because they were caught
before they could receive them.

In another development, Garcia on Friday also
confirmed that the US military liaison mission has
been ordered to vacate its offices in the Caracas Fort
Tiuna military base before May 25.

Chavez said Wednesday that the paramilitaries plot
originated in Miami, the United States, and Colombia.
Washington has repeatedly denied any involvement and
Colombia has pledged cooperation in the
investigations.

"Colombia is totally ready to help by providing the
relevant information," Colombian Foreign Minister
Carolina Barco said after talks with Chavez in Caracas
earlier Friday.








	
		
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