‘US plotting new coup in Venezuela’

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JNN 02 Jan 2o11 : The appointment of an ambassador by the US “who was really discussing Venezuelan military loyalty and morale … is really a discussion of the potential of a new coup in Venezuela,” said Sara Flounders, Co-Director of International Action Center in New York.

In an interview with Press TV, Flounders noted that “Venezuela has been a victim of US coup d’état and attempted coups. President [Hugo] Chavez himself [was a victim] of a direct US sponsored coup in 2002.”

Tensions have flared up between the United States and Venezuela since August after US President Barack Obama nominated Larry Palmer as the US ambassador to Caracas.

However, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez insisted that Palmer was not welcomed after the diplomat leveled harsh criticism against Venezuela during his US Senate confirmation hearings months ago.

At the time, Palmer had claimed that morale is low in Venezuela’s military and also linked the government to leftist rebels in neighboring Colombia.

On Wednesday, the US revoked the visa of Venezuelan Ambassador to Washington Bernardo Alvarez.

Flounders referred to the US’ “policy of making threats and counter-threats,” and insisted that “Venezuela quite rightly rejected [Palmer] and has insisted on relations of mutual respect.”

'US plotting new coup in Venezuela'

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JNN 02 Jan 2o11 : The appointment of an ambassador by the US “who was really discussing Venezuelan military loyalty and morale … is really a discussion of the potential of a new coup in Venezuela,” said Sara Flounders, Co-Director of International Action Center in New York.

In an interview with Press TV, Flounders noted that “Venezuela has been a victim of US coup d’état and attempted coups. President [Hugo] Chavez himself [was a victim] of a direct US sponsored coup in 2002.”

Tensions have flared up between the United States and Venezuela since August after US President Barack Obama nominated Larry Palmer as the US ambassador to Caracas.

However, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez insisted that Palmer was not welcomed after the diplomat leveled harsh criticism against Venezuela during his US Senate confirmation hearings months ago.

At the time, Palmer had claimed that morale is low in Venezuela’s military and also linked the government to leftist rebels in neighboring Colombia.

On Wednesday, the US revoked the visa of Venezuelan Ambassador to Washington Bernardo Alvarez.

Flounders referred to the US’ “policy of making threats and counter-threats,” and insisted that “Venezuela quite rightly rejected [Palmer] and has insisted on relations of mutual respect.”

‘US losing power in Latin America’

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JNN 02 Jan 2011 : An analyst says US aggressive stance against Latin American and Caribbean countries shows Washington’s anger over its diminishing influence in the region.

The region “is no longer directly under the thumb of the US corporate power and US military power,” Co-Director of International Action Center Sara Flounders said.

“That certainly is infuriating US policy makers, the Pentagon, and the corporations that are used to treating the economies of Latin America as extensions; as sources of cheap raw material and cheap labor,” she told Press TV.

Flounders specifically referred to the US attempts to rig Venezuela-Colombia relations as an evident example of Washington’s agenda for destabilizing the region.

“Any reconciliation or improvement in relations between Colombia and Venezuela would be to US detriment, and certainly to the detriment of the US military presence in Colombia,” she added.

Flounders argued that the US has, for many years, used fighting drugs as an excuse for its military presence in Colombia.

However, its main aim is “stopping a popular movement in Colombia from becoming a force such as have happened throughout Latin America, where democratic and popular forces have really swept elections and made enormous transformations and changes,” she said

'US losing power in Latin America'

Posted on by

JNN 02 Jan 2011 : An analyst says US aggressive stance against Latin American and Caribbean countries shows Washington’s anger over its diminishing influence in the region.

The region “is no longer directly under the thumb of the US corporate power and US military power,” Co-Director of International Action Center Sara Flounders said.

“That certainly is infuriating US policy makers, the Pentagon, and the corporations that are used to treating the economies of Latin America as extensions; as sources of cheap raw material and cheap labor,” she told Press TV.

Flounders specifically referred to the US attempts to rig Venezuela-Colombia relations as an evident example of Washington’s agenda for destabilizing the region.

“Any reconciliation or improvement in relations between Colombia and Venezuela would be to US detriment, and certainly to the detriment of the US military presence in Colombia,” she added.

Flounders argued that the US has, for many years, used fighting drugs as an excuse for its military presence in Colombia.

However, its main aim is “stopping a popular movement in Colombia from becoming a force such as have happened throughout Latin America, where democratic and popular forces have really swept elections and made enormous transformations and changes,” she said