May 19, 2006
From correspondents in Punto Fijo
Daily Telegraph
VENEZUELAN President Hugo Chavez has for years predicted that a foreign army would attack the South American nation to snatch its vast oil reserves. A simulation this week showed how it might happen.
Photo: Venezuelan soldiers take position outside Amuay Refinery while take part in an invasion simulation in Punto Fijo, 545 km (340 miles) west of Caracas, May 18, 2006. The Army, National Guard and civilian defense groups are currently taking part in exercises of unconventional warfare and resistance meant to repel a foreign invasion and defend Venezuela's territory and sovereignty of around a million-barrels a day Oil refinery of Paraguana, officials said. The country's left-wing President Hugo Chavez has warned that U.S. is planning an invasion of the world's No. 5 oil exporter. (REUTERS/Jorge Silva)
A naval landing craft made landfall on the shores of Western Falcon state carrying troops and over a dozen camouflaged tanks. The "invading" army then took over the massive Paraguana Refining Complex, a key asset of the world's No.5 crude exporter.
The "occupation" is part of a military exercise to train troops and communities to repel a foreign invader.
The Chavez government said it is preparing citizens to fight a guerrilla war to repel a possible Iraq-style invasion by US troops. The Bush administration insists the invasion paranoia is nothing more than leftist sabre-rattling, but for Chavez supporters the threat is real.
"They've already invaded us, now the invading forces are controlling certain strategic objectives," said Rear Admiral Zahin Quintana, a squadron commander, after disembarking from a warship as part of the exercise. "Now begins the resistance by our troops together with our people."
The tanks began circulating through the streets, and units of mock invading soldiers launched smoke bombs to clear the way. But local residents, organised and trained by military authorities, resisted the assault by blocking roads with rusting cars and burning tyres.
"We're willing to go anywhere to defend our homeland," said Rosmery Trujillo, a participant in the operation, told state television. "This country will never again be put under the boot of the North, thanks to our President Chavez."
The mock attack is part of a military operation called "Operation Patriot 2006" being carried out this week.
Venezuela's government has created community Local Defence Councils that would provide support during a potential invasion by hiding weapons, relaying messages or sabotaging water and power services.
Photo: Soldiers ride in personal armored carriers while taking part in an invasion simulation held by the Venezuelan armed forces in Punto Fijo, 545 km (340 miles) west of Caracas, May 18, 2006. The Army, National Guard and civilian defense groups are currently taking part in exercises of unconventional warfare and resistance meant to repel a foreign invasion and defend Venezuela's territory and sovereignty of around a million-barrels a day Oil refinery of Paraguana, officials said. The country's left-wing President Hugo Chavez has warned repeatedly that U.S. is planning an invasion of the world's No. 5 oil exporter. (REUTERS/Stringer)
Rear Admiral Quintana said the mock attack involved nine warships, three combat planes and four helicopters - two of which are Russian-made models Chavez started acquiring after the US thwarted his attempts to acquire American technology.
Tomorrow the invasion force is scripted to be repelled by Venezuelans trained to defend the nation's strategic assets including oil terminals, fuel filling stations and tanker trucks.
Mr Chavez, a former paratrooper turned populist politician, is locked in a heated war of words with Washington. The US State Department describes him as a threat to democracy in the region, and this week said it would no longer sell weapons or military equipment to the South American nation.
Mr Chavez describes the United States as a decadent empire accustomed to having sway in Latin America, and has called Mr Bush everything from "assassin" to "donkey".
Despite US criticism, Mr Chavez is expected to easily win a reelection bid this December as massive social spending and the widely popular anti-American discourse have kept his approval ratings high.
Critics in Venezuela say Mr Chavez is squandering record oil wealth on improvised social programs and creating an artificial conflict with the United States.
But with oil prices surging and anti-American sentiment high, many Venezuelans see the invasion threat as a reality.
"If oil goes to $100 per barrel?" said one high ranking officer. "Who knows? Anything could happen."
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