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How serious is Chavez about war?

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has urged his armed forces to be prepared for a possible war with Colombia. What will happen next?

The diplomatic row between Venezuela and Colombia has escalated since Mr Chavez sent 15,000 troops to the Colombian border last week. He blames the tensions on closer military ties between Colombia and the US.

Colombia says that it has no intention of going to war with Venezuela and that US forces are only in the country to battle rebels and drug traffickers.

Should Venezuela feel threatened by the US presence in Colombia? Is Mr Chavez serious about the possibility of war? What should the international community do?

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Published: Monday, 9 November, 2009, 06:41 GMT 06:41 UK

All comments as they come in

Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 11:35 GMT 11:35 UK

chavez is famous for his off the wall statements. he is like a small brat child seeking constant attention all the time. he loves being in the spotlight. the sooner the media ignores this guy the sooner he will go away.

he is running out of oil. his clout is fading. his policies failed. he is a latin american jimmy carter. a failed leader.

hash house harrier ralphie kim..., augusta, ga, United States

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 11:33 GMT 11:33 UK

Chavez I'm sure will do what he needs to do to protect Venezuela from attack, the American commentators on here and their lickspittle backers in the UK have no concept of anything outside of what they are told by the Sun or Fox news which explains the lack of any analysis in what they say, just look at the mess the likes of Bush, Blair, Brown, Berlusconi have got the world into, endless wars a destroyed economy, hated by most of the rest of the world, unlike Chavez who is admired by many

Denis, Wakefield

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 11:27 GMT 11:27 UK

Senor Chavez is not wishing to make war on anyone but is taking the threat to his country seriously as he does well to do, when he has the US on his doorstep waiting the opportunity to topple him. Plans are being prepared right now. Their excuse for Afghanistan was Bin Laden and now its something else. !

Awesome Geronimo, Leeds

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 11:23 GMT 11:23 UK

For once I agree with Chavez. Bring on the war between Venezuela and Colombia and/or USA. That way Chavez and his regime get a good beating and will finally be out of power.

Goncalo Amaral, Portugal out of the EU, Portugal

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 10:59 GMT 10:59 UK

Doesn't the human race drive you nuts! Just when you think you've tied down the despots in Iraq and Afganistan, Iran and North Korea promptly pop up to stir up the action. Somalia pirating all shipping around East Africa.

And now, hey presto! South America wants in on the act. Nothing has happened since the Falklands, so now Venezuela is after some headlines.

The world can be quite laughable at times!

John Alexander Langley

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 10:57 GMT 10:57 UK

Having visited Venezuala on numerous occaissions I cannot believe the people there would ever tolerate going to war. They just dont seem the 'warlike type'. Chavez just seems all talk.

Ashley Miles, Ascot, United Kingdom

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 10:53 GMT 10:53 UK

On today of all days as we remember the loss of so many of the world's population caused by the greed and insanity of so called leaders we are confronted with another who is losing his popularity at home and to hang onto power will look to strike up a war with a neighbour. Is this not what happened in Argentina in 1982 as well?

OB, Langley

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 10:43 GMT 10:43 UK

Why can't Colombia, after 60 years of its USA's backed-up civil war, negotiate equitable wealth distribution with its 'subversives'?

Not brainwashed
Why can't Columbia choose to associate with whom it wants?
Why does Chavez support FARC, a terrorist group?
Why is Chavez afraid of open dissent?
Why does he steal from oil companies and Hilton hotels?
Why do people like you excuse human rights abuses if the person is an enemy of the U.S?
You are brainwashed

Richard Leeds, United States

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 10:21 GMT 10:21 UK

If Chavez says his main aim is "preparing for war" and keeps beating the drum while mobilising troops, the sooner or later he probably will take his country to war. He is sounding very similar to Galtieri's Junta in Argentina not so long ago but is more dangerous because Venezuela has large oil revenues. Of course, a war could change that pretty quickly so it might be more advantageous for him to assist in tackling the drug barons.

[archoptimist], United Kingdom

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 09:54 GMT 09:54 UK

Monumental evidence of massive brainwashing by Fox news & the Republican controlled media in the USA on this particular HYS. Do you have any understanding of the world hegemony & US government policy specifically designed to control and reshape the world to its own requirements? Well I can see it & I don't want it. You people don't even want universal healthcare in your own country & certainly won't tolerate social aspirations in any other country unless you can make massive profits from it.

[Wide-awake-and-Aware], Anti_Milton Friedman_Ville, Inside the Dark Empire

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 09:38 GMT 09:38 UK

It is unfortunate to say but I don't believe when the Colombian goverment states that the US forces are only in the country to battle rebels and drug traffickers.
I would like to invite everyone to check out the locations of military US bases across the world.
Hugo Chavez concerns that those US bases in Colombia represent a threat to Venezuela, are justified.
The US can give support to Colombia by other means to fight rebels and drug traffickers.

Frank Heydenreich, P, France

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 09:17 GMT 09:17 UK

Why are there lots of Americans on here saying he is Egotistic, maniac etc. but they dont seem to comment that he has given the poor their country back and jobs and healthcare, rather than pander to the rich who obviously have sold their country for a commision to the US. If the Americans on here think that them slandering this guy will change the views of the brits they are sorely mistaken we decide based on the facts and the fact that US challenged democracy there and tried an illegal coup!

D C, Manchester, United Kingdom

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 09:16 GMT 09:16 UK

Lots of stupid Americans on here (as usual). They consider viscious dictators like Pinochet, Batista and Stroenesser to be "OK" based on the fact that they did what the US wanted despite the fact that they raped their respective countries and people, but weren't "Communists." Are there any Americans out there who have the slightest idea what that term means?

Laurence, Hemel Hempstead

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 09:10 GMT 09:10 UK

A war between Colombia and Venezuela is the most stupid thing that could hapen. President Uribe's concern is about Farc and its long blood bath against colombian people. Chavez is just trying to divert attention from his own mistakes "governing" Venezuela.

Gustavo, Barcelona

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Added: Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 09:04 GMT 09:04 UK

This man is following the well worn path of failed communist countries.He is running out of choices.Communal socialism ie welfare state. managed properly can work to a degree.Unfettered dictatorial communism that is the Chavez model always ends in tears and suffering.Freedom of expression and individuality gone.General infrastructure decaying,youth education brainwashing. Chevez has to pretend imminent danger.This covers the fiscal ineptitude of a country going backwards, GETTINGGRUMPIER

wayne job, broadford

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