Venezuela: Washington knew about the coup

The US embassy in Caracas was aware of preparations to overthrow Chavez at least two months before the frustrated seizure of power took place last week, Newsweek reported. The American magazine published an article where insists on the participation of the White House in the design of a military coup to remove Venezuelan President from his post.

Newsweek, also assures that Army’s master minders of the uprising held several meetings with US officials in Caracas to obtain information about the position of Washington on their plans. These reports were confirmed on Tuesday, when the White House accepted to the press that it had conversations with the opposition in the South American country on the above.

This information makes sense not only because it was confirmed by White House officials but also because USA did not condemn the coup and blamed on Chavez on Thursday’s bloodshed as the sole responsible for the events. Furthermore, the anti – Chavez media campaign was bravely encouraged from Washington and even now, President Bush administration does not recognize Chavez’s legitimacy as head of state of his country.

Notwithstanding the above, anyone who knows something about the recent political history of region would agree that this kind of actions cannot be taken without prior consent of the US State Department. It is like this old Latin American joke says : Do you know why there are not military coups in the USA ? Because they do not have US embassies there…

Hernan Etchaleco PRAVDA.Ru Argentina