Maduro says "he doesn't want civil war" but arms 400,000 loyalists as nation plunges into violence

[Inactive]

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he will expand the number of civilians involved in armed militias, providing guns to as many as 400,000 loyalists.

The Bolivarian militias, currently at approximately 100,000, were created by the late Hugo Chavez to assist the armed forces in the defense of his revolution from external and domestic attacks.

Speaking to thousands of militia members dressed in beige uniforms gathered in front of the presidential palace, Maduro said that vision remains relevant as Venezuela continues to face "imperialist aggression."

"A gun for every militiaman!" he cried.

Maduro's government claims foreign-backed opposition leaders are fomenting violence in an attempt to remove him from power. The opposition denies that assertion, saying it is Maduro himself who is responsible for Venezuela's woes, including triple-digit inflation, rising crime and food shortages.

They also blame Maduro for ordering security forces to use tear gas against protesters and failing to stop pro-government armed groups from attacking demonstrators.

 

[XamarCade]

Prof. AJ where did Venezuela go wrong? They're having daily riots and ppl are eating from the dumpsters, murder and other crimes are getting outta control. What's ur solution professa?

 

[Inactive]

Prof. AJ where did Venezuela go wrong? They're having daily riots and ppl are eating from the dumpsters, murder and other crimes are getting outta control. What's ur solution professa?

There have even been deaths due to starvation and people walking to Colombia to beg for food.

The first solution is to hold elections. We'll see what happens then.

I think there will be civil war. Even the children of high ranking officials are rioting

 

[Arman]

What happened to all their oil?

 

[Vanguard]

What happened to all their oil?

It's still there. Their oil tankers are stranded in the Caribbean Sea, because the country is too poor to export oil.

 

[Inactive]

What happened to all their oil?

They didn't invest in their oil industry during $100+ oil days; almost all of their oil comes from older oil fields that are being depleted. They also have everyday power outages.

And their oil is too heavy and needs to be mixed with lighter crude oil from other countries but they can't afford to purchase it. And they can't afford to export their oil after blending it with lighter crude oil.

That country is very poorly run

 

[XamarCade]

What happened to all their oil?

They were borrowing more money than they were saving/making, once the oil prices tanked, the imf stopped giving them loans and Venezuela keeps defaulting on there debt, I don't see how they'll ever get out of this mess anytime soon

 

[Deactivated]

Somalia gets to have a front row seat in watching the destruction and development of countries around the world.

 

[waraabe]

wonderful socialism working again.

 

[XamarCade]

Somalia gets to have a front row seat in watching the destruction and development of countries around the world.

Walahi u ain't lying, but these so called developed countries can learn so much about Somalia, not only how prolonged civil war can set them back decades but also how a country with basically little development and infrastructure can have robust small private sectors, and also how trust can keep money alive without central bank, we basically proved we can survive without a government and still grow at a slow but fast pace compared to other countries with a stable government, no terrorism and no foreign meddling

 

[Deactivated]

Walahi u ain't lying, but these so called developed countries can learn so much about Somalia, not only how prolonged civil war can set them back decades but also how a country with basically little development and infrastructure can have robust small private sectors, and also how trust can keep money alive without central bank, we basically proved we can survive without a government and still grow at a slow but fast pace compared to other countries with a stable government, no terrorism and no foreign meddling

Its Mad Max!

No country wants become Mad Max.

 

[Shangani]

It's still there. Their oil tankers are stranded in the Caribbean Sea, because the country is too poor to export oil.

there oil is dirty and not as clean as other places so its not to profitable.

 

[SomaliWadaniSoldier]

the great Chavez would piss in his grave now if heard it

 

[Aaegal]

Walahi u ain't lying, but these so called developed countries can learn so much about Somalia, not only how prolonged civil war can set them back decades but also how a country with basically little development and infrastructure can have robust small private sectors, and also how trust can keep money alive without central bank, we basically proved we can survive without a government and still grow at a slow but fast pace compared to other countries with a stable government, no terrorism and no foreign meddling

Can you expand on the bold portion.

 

[XamarCade]

Can you expand on the bold portion.

http://www.economist.com/node/21551492