Threats of the South Command

By: Elson Concepcion

Havana, Cuba. - The presence of the Joint South Command of US armed forces in Caribbean Islands close to Venezuela increases the threat of a possible aggression. It might be preceded by provocations against that South American nation.
 
The President of the Bolivarian Republic, Hugo Chavez, has reiterated that the operations out of Aruba and Curacao, under the umbrella of the struggle against drug traffic, could be aimed at a direct attack against Venezuelan territory. 
 
The accusations of the Bolivarian leader found echo again in the rhetoric of US authorities. This time, it was the South Command spokesman, Stephen Lucas. He tried to justify these actions, claiming that the air operations seek to support the regional efforts against drug traffic. 
 
We must remember that the Pentagon installed both bases in insular territory close to Venezuela, pursuant to an agreement between United States and the Dutch Antilles. This gives Washington the possibility to keep the territorial space of several countries of that region under surveillance, in blatant violation of their sovereignty. 
 
Now the South Command, based in Florida, is moving its tentacles toward different points of Latin American geography. It is looking south, where countries like Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador have launched social and regional integration projects, very far from the imperial aegis. 
 
The hottest issue has been Colombian consent to open 7 US military bases in its territory. This poses an open challenge and threat to neighboring Venezuela. 
 
Such provocations open new sources of tension in a region with which, in President Obama’s words, United States wishes to cooperate peacefully. 
 
And the South Command has shown up in that scenario again. This is a descendant of the military units that USA sent to Panama in the last century. 
 
We must remember that this war machinery is meant to protect US interests in its range of action. It is responsible for planning, coordinating and leading military actions in Center and South America, the Caribbean Islands and the waters off Mexican southern coast. It covers a distance of 11 200 km from north to south, including the Antarctic Peninsula, and more than 4 800 km from east to west. There are 32 countries in this geographic area.  
 
This military contingent is divided into 4 main forces: Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. The headquarters are in Miami, Florida, with an alternate seat in Puerto Rico. 

Translated by: Pedro A. Fanego

( 03.12.2009 10:13 AM )