As usual, my friend Andy Webb-Vidal writes a good insightful article in the Financial Times about Venezuela. Some Excerpts:
“As pressure mounts, it seems all that stands between the former paratrooper and the implosion of his regime are the “Bolivarian Circles”, a highly mobile network of hardline supporters ready to descend from the barrios that ring the capital.”
“Members of Bolivarian Circles and the closely linked Tupamaros have already been in action this week, ransacking several television stations, apparently with impunity. Opponents of Mr Chávez have even alleged they are receiving training from Colombia’s Farc guerrillas, as well as from Cuban government agents. The government says the allegations are propaganda”
“If we don’t find a solution at the negotiating table, the differences will be settled on the street,” warned César Gaviria, the secretary- general of the OAS.
“If the situation deteriorates further the armed forces may again play the role of arbiter of last resort. According to General Enrique Medina, leader of a group of dissident officers, it is only a matter of time before a critical mass once more emerges within the military and the generals ask the president to resign”
“The dimension of the strike demonstrates that the country is no longer governable, the president can’t execute his threats, and so he’s showing real weakness,” said Alfredo Keller, a Caracas-based political analyst.
“The longer the government waits to recognise the crisis, the more likely it will be that the military is pushed into asking the president to resign, effectively a bloodless coup.”
The Devil's Excrement 
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