But we only need to be patient. Colombia and the United States need to continue operations against the FARC. The United States should continue to try engaging the Venezuelan government and the people. We need to refuse to take the bait that Chavez repeatedly provides. If the U.S. Government gets into an argument with Chavez, it will lose. The current policy of virtually ignoring him is the most appropriate course. It infuriates him and prevents the United States from making a mistake that Chavez would manipulate for his benefit. Additionally, the rest of the hemisphere needs to be aware that Chavez will continue his campaign to subordinate Venezuelan democracy to his own goals. When he attempts another referendum, the other countries of the hemisphere should support the Venezuelan people and ensure a free and fair referendum.
Although Chavez remains an irritant to the rest of the world and still poses a potential problem for countries like Colombia and the United States, he has lost his first major battle. This has weakened him. He is still powerful within Venezuela, but the opposition now knows that he can be defeated. His star is no longer in the ascent. It is the beginning of the end.
I certainly argued the same thing a couple years ago when it looked like Hugo Chavez was just a buffoon, prancing about as a member of the Axis of El Vil rather than being a real threat to our interests. So I guess I should be comforted that an Army officer still believes Hugo is a joke with presidential stationery.
But Hugo has been bucking for a promotion, cozying up to FARC terrorists, Cuba, Iran, China, and Russia. And I worry that a strategy appropriate for a clown will be a dangerous abdication of our responsibilities should Hugo succeed in becoming an actual threat to American interests.
