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Venezuela Steps Up Border Security
Caracas - Reports about paramilitary groups that are
being organized in the border with Colombia have
activated a plan to station intelligence forces in
the area, supported by the Venezuelan National
Assembly.
Different sources and the media relate the increase
of paramilitarism to secessionist projects by the
governors of Tachira and Zulia states, Cesar Perez
and Pablo Perez, respectively, in the country's
western area.
Parliamentary Border Sub-commission Chair Hayden
Pirela asserted that the National Assembly supports
construction of operational bases of the
Intelligence and Prevention Service General
Director's Office (DISIP) at the border.
Sending intelligence troops to the area aims at
preventing a maneuver that leads to a coup by the
opposition, supported by Colombian government
circles, according to Pirela.
The Tachira governor's decision of creating the
state's own Security Council and armed groups
confirmed previous reports by members of parliament
and others circles about this actions, related to
the secessionist plans of the mentioned Venezuelan
western states.
On June 15, the Tachira state government approved
the creation of a Regional Human Security Council,
in charge of security and public order, with
coordination with the so called civil society among
its powers.
According to several announcements, the Association
of Cattle Raisers of Tachira, which is already using
paramilitary groups to defend its interests, the
Federation of State Chambers of Commerce and the
Private Security Chamber will participate in that
plan.
Interior and Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami said
the organization of those blocs repeats the origin
of the Self-Defense Forces of Colombia, paramilitary
groups devoted to social extermination.
Another worrying element is elaboration by the
government of Tachira of autonomy statute
regulations, which is related to a secessionist
movement led by a group called Liberal Democratic
Movement.
The project includes establishing an electoral
register, which works simultaneously to that of the
National Electoral Council, the purpose of which
might possibly be summoning to a referendum to
separate the region.
El Aissami announced this week the upcoming setting
up of DISIP operational bases in strategic border
zones, as part of a security plan approved by
President Chavez. |
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