Chavez decree strengthens pro-government militias

[Bacchus39]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110323/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_venezuela_militias



CARACAS, Venezuela – New rules authorizing Venezuela's military to distribute weapons to pro-government militias took effect Tuesday, raising concern among critics who say the armed groups could be used by President Hugo Chavez to cement his hold on power.

Rocio San Miguel, an anti-Chavez activist who heads Citizen Control for Security, a non-governmental group that studies military-related issues, said the decree could allow Chavez to turn the militias into "the armed branch of the revolution."

Militiamen had previously been trained to use firearms, but were not issued weapons. They used firearms only in training exercises and military parades under the strict supervision of military officers.

Venezuela's state-run news agency said the new system is aimed at "achieving the greatest political and revolutionary quality in the construction of socialism" within the Bolivarian Militia.

[inademv]

1. Why is it

the complete opposite argument in America?

[joshcryer]

2. Wow. That's disturbing to say the least.

[Bacchus39]

3. what could possibly go wrong?? n/t

s

[Shagbark Hickory]

4. Between this and the pro-hamas, pro-Iran rhetoric, I'm really losing interest in this guy fast.

Just another crazy dictator.