Distracted by Haiti, U.S. ignores Venezuela
By DOUGLAS MacKINNON
March 1, 2004, 10:26PM
Jean-Bertrand Aristide has fled, Haiti is on the verge of total anarchy, and the United States has taken its eye off a larger and much more dangerous problem. The very day that Aristide fled, fires burned throughout Caracas, Venezuela, explosions and gunfire could be heard across the city, citizens battled and died at the hands of the National Guard, and the country pushed closer to all out civil war.
Civil war in Venezuela will make the anarchy in Haiti look pale and meaningless by comparison. The American media are filling the airwaves with images of violence from Port-Au-Prince, while "burying the lead" as they say in the news business. That "lead" being the exponentially larger story in Venezuela our press is ignoring.
While Haiti is indeed a headache for our nation, the coming civil war in Venezuela will have a disastrous impact on our national security and way of life. On any given day, this South American nation is the No. 1 to No. 3 exporter of oil and gasoline to the United States.
With regard to this oil, a little-known fact is that the largest franchise in the United States is Citgo. This franchise is owned by PDVSA, the national oil company of Venezuela, and as of today, controlled by the madman who runs the nation.
Sadly for the United States, President Hugo Chavez is much more than a madman who has his hand on the spigot of much needed oil. Many think him to be a terrorist who is actively trying to destabilize his neighbor Colombia, the region and much of South America. Worse, while he exports oil and gas to prop up his all-but-in-name dictatorial regime, he is actively importing terrorism, terrorists and even members of al-Qaida.
Winning the peace in Iraq is important, but at what point do we turn our eyes to the south? Toward our own hemisphere and toward an evil just as unpalatable, just as real and potentially just as lethal as Osama bin Laden? Four hours south of the White House by jet sits a tyrant who openly taunts President Bush, our nation and our way of life. Again, the day that Aristide fled Haiti, Chavez was organizing yet another "hate" march against Bush and the United States, and inciting violence against the majority of his people.
Aside from protecting our national security, my interest in this is personal. My wife is from Caracas, as are my in-laws and many friends. To a person, they strongly support the United States and believe we represent the hope of the world. Sadly, they, like many of our friends in Latin America, also believe that the United States has all but abandoned them to focus on Iraq. A belief Chavez tries to reinforce every day with his Hitler-like rhetoric.
April 11, 2002, saw the "accidental" coup in Venezuela that forced Chavez out of power for two days. Tragically for those in Venezuela who believe in our nation and in democracy, that accidental coup is the main reason we have been publicly reluctant to take on Chavez and save their nation.
When the coup first took place almost two years ago, it seemed like Bush's press secretary and many in our government were "cheerleading" the act. This cheerleading upset many heads of state in South America and around the world who felt we were stamping our seal of approval on the overthrow of a democratically elected president. Because of that diplomatic misstep, we have given Chavez and his thugs almost carte blanche to oppress his own people while exporting terrorism.
Well, the vast majority of "his" people have had enough. With their hopes for a national referendum to recall Chavez once again crushed by Chavez, they have decided to take to the streets to try to save their nation and restore democracy.
Haiti is a firecracker that has just gone off in our neighborhood. With Venezuela, the fuse is lit and burning fast on a massive bomb that will be heard and felt throughout our hemisphere.
Prepare for the coming civil war that will adversely impact all of our lives.
MacKinnon was press secretary to former Sen. Bob Dole. He is also a former White House and Pentagon official, and an author. Readers may e-mail him at dmackinnon@sandw.com.
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