Caracas' Catia killing is just a skirmish in Venezuela's continuing Civil War

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Friday, May 30, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

In a biting article entitled "Catia and the Civil War," veteran historian and political analyst, Domingo Alberto Rangel says what happened on Catia's Peru Street last Saturday is a straight answer to people begging the question: can there be a peaceful solution to Venezuela's problems. 

"The two groups that skirmished in Peru Street made war preparations ... the government group focused on Peru street as if it were long-range artillery placing lookouts and observers on nearby 23 de Enero, while the opposing band let loose its goons on the same street or houses in the neighborhood." 

Rangel points out that the police forces went to the rally to protect and/or point arms depending on the groups. The National Guard (GN), Mayor Bernal's Libertador Police (Policaracas), Tupamaros and Carapaica acted as one block, while the Metropolitan Police (PM) and Bandera Roja formed the other ... "the PM is the opposition's SS, whereas Policaracas is the government's SA ... every meeting or march is a battle or skirmish that affects Venezuela."

As for the arguments that there is peace in Venezuela, Rangel does not bat an eyelid affirming that the Venezuelan Civil War is peculiar, in as far as the two sides still maintain cordial relations ... "after all, they belong to the same system." 

Accion Democratica (AD), Primero Justicia (PJ) and Proyecto Venezuela (PV) enjoy legal status and work on National Assembly (AN) committees alongside government deputies. 

Movimiento Quinta Republic (MVR) deputy and journalist, Juan Barreto has become rich with an apartment in Miami said to be worth $297,000 where he meets AD leader, Henry Ramos Allup, who is rich from way back ... "they know how to be cordial ... in the streets it's different .... there they have to insult each other, while the crowds that follow them have to bite the dust ... the war has been programmed and battles sought ... the only ones who fall are the indians not the chiefs."

Highlighting his dislike of both sides, the irreverent old-timer comments that it was some show that Venezuelan Executive Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel and AD general secretary, Henry Ramos Allup put on, " awash in crocodile tears when both had sent their armed groups to battle in Catia."

"As the war continues, so does the farce  with declarations of peace and concordance, which the Timoteos, Jose Vicentes, Aristobulos and Americos must sign every now and again to play to the gallery and satisfy the imperialist overlord ... 24 hours before the Catia skirmish, the government and opposition made a solemn declaration of peace ... fortunately, nobody in Venezuela is confounded ... the country knows that they are clowns of hypocrisy with a duty to lie ... agreements are made to be broken ... the declarations serve their purpose of washing one's hands like Pilate." 

The Spirit of Catia will live on and shape the future!