In recent months Venezuelan leaders, including the country's demagogic president, Hugo Chavez, have made numerous public statements about the "reunification" of the islands of the Dutch West Indies (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) with Venezuela. Venezuelan violations of Dutch air space and territorial waters, including illegal over flights by military aircraft, have occurred with some frequency. In addition, Venezuelan authorities have urged residents of the islands to form "Bolivarian" cells, in support of eventual "reunification." The Netherlands is taking these Venezuelan actions seriously. In addition to scheduling a meeting between a high level Dutch official and Chavez in a couple of weeks, the Dutch have reinforced their West Indian garrison (with consists of a small naval contingent, a battalion of infantry, and some helicopters) with a flight of F-16s. The Dutch government also intends to take the matter up with the European Union, where they are likely to be supported by
Britain (given that some other territories on which Venezuela is laying claims, such as Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana, are members of the Commonwealth) and France (which also has overseas territories in the Caribbean).
One day we will have to deal with Hugo Chavez. This nutjob may seriously think an adventure like the 1982 Falklands grab by dictatorial Argentina can be improved upon if only he can direct the operation.
I don't put it past him to try something. We should not ignore the rantings of dictators and thugs just because they don't make any sense at all. Chavez may think the Jesse Jackson can save him from a Western response.
And this is not just ranting. The Venezuelan military is signaling by its provocative manuevers that violate air and sea space that it is getting orders to press the Dutch.
Perhaps Dutch and American Marines should have a nice joint exercise down there. Just to remind Chavez that we pay attention to topics other than missing blonde women in the area.
