As you know, Venezuelans go to the polls this Sunday (2nd December) to
vote on whether to approve the new constitutional reforms. For many
months, there have been rumours that the local elite and the US government
might launch some kind of coup attempt around this time, using sabotage
and propaganda as a cover for direct intervention.
This week, a CIA memo has been discovered that confirms the existence of
just such a plan, which is code-named Operation Pliers. It details the
tactics that are being used, which include provoking violent uprisings and
refusing to accept the referendum result to working closely with
international news agencies and preparing the ground for military invasion
from Colombia or the island of Curaçao (respectively referred to in the
memo as the "green" and "blue" countries). Eva Golinger has written about
this revelation at
http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/2914
It will undoubtedly be more difficult for the US to carry out this plan
now that it has been exposed. However, the dangers are still very great
and we are asking all supporters to be ever-more vigilant as Sunday
approaches. According to the plan, the three or four days following the
vote are especially critical. If it looks like they are getting away with
their accusations of fraud and Chávez is seen to be isolated
internationally, the opposition will be encouraged to escalate the
violence up to the point where the US military might step in.
On Sunday itself, we will be rallying against the CIA coup attempt outside
Bolivar Hall, where the Venezuelan community in London will be voting,
from 5pm once the poll has closed. We invite every supporter of the
Bolivarian Revolution to join us but ask that everyone remain calm and
polite when confronted or provoked by anti-Chávez Venezuelan voters, who
would love nothing better than to engage us in conflict. The address of
Bolivar Hall is 56 Grafton Way (off Tottenham Court Road) W1, nearest
Tube: Goodge Street. Please bring banners and musical instruments if you
have any – and wear red!
Best Bolivarian wishes,
Hands Off Venezuela – London