Venezuelan rancher warlord says government is giving away lands to Colombian guerrillas

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela Electronic News Posted: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Gung-ho Venezuelan Ranchers Federation (Fedenaga) president, Jose Luis Betancourt accuses the government of using agricultural deeds to hand land to Colombian guerrilla groups in border States. 

"There are subversive groups, common criminals, paramilitaries, hired assassins acting against us, Venezuelan producers ... they want to get in here through squatting and invading lands and are protected by members of the Armed Force (FAN) ... the use of agricultural deeds as imposed by Lands Institute president, Adan Chavez is completely unconstitutional."  

Betancourt, who declared war on the Chavist government last month, singles out Barinas State where he says the government land policy undermines Federation members' personal security and feeding the population. 

"It's not just a matter of defending farms but defending Venezuelan's food sources ... Barinas produces meat for 35,000 people ... milk production will drop this year 5-6% and meat 12-14% making Venezuela more dependant on imports." 

Sniping at pro-government National Assembly (AN) deputies, who visit border areas as House committee members, Betancourt calls them liars. 

"They claim that there are no subversives in border areas ... hiding the reality is to disregard the disease ... they identify with the subversives' ideology ... they should not use their parliamentary privilege to attack Venezuelan identity."