Ordnance, oro, ore...

Ordnance ordered out?: Hugo the clown is getting worse...but really just confirming what we knew and conforming to the socialist dictator stereotype: he has now threatened to 'release the tanks' if certain local state elections don't go his way La Vanguardia reports today:

[Headline] "Chávez amenaza con "sacar los tanques" si la oposición gana las elecciones en el estado de Carabobo"...

[Chavez said] "Si permiten que la oligarquía (...) regrese a la Gobernación (de Carabobo), a lo mejor voy a terminar sacando los tanques de la Brigada Blindada para defender al gobierno revolucionario y para defender al pueblo",

This roughly translated means "Chavez threatens to "get out the tanks" if the opposition wins the elections in Carabobo State"...and what Chavez said: "If they let the oligarchy (...) return to the government (of Carabobo), maybe I will end up pulling tanks from the Armored Brigade to defend the revolutionary government and to defend the people."

Carabobo State is one of the smartest, well-run and get-ahead states in the country - it's also where I have many friends whom will all, I have no doubt, be voting for the opposition! This is at least the second time in which the he said that the army will come if a candidate is elected who may have plans/say anything contrary to what he, Chavez, wants. It's clearly part of a plan as only 2 weeks ago he "threatened to imprison the popular governor of Venezuela's western Zulia state for allegedly plotting to kill him." [Washington Times]

Update: Here in English from Yahoo! News...I beat them to it! :-)

Oro: Earlier last week Mining Minister Rodolfo Sanz said that the biggest gold mine in Venezuela, currently owned by Canada's Crystallex, would be "seized and nationalised": part of the socialist agenda that has already taken over telephone, electricity, oil, steelmaking and cement operations. Crystallex, who's shares fell 25% on the news, seems not to have been informed!

Ore: as if all this weren't enough Russia and Venezuela are signing various deals including a nuclear (energy...) one. Judging by Russia's cold reception to the news of the US election it could possibly be a major headache for new US president elect Obama especially as uranium ore reserves may be included in mining legislation that nationalises the gold (oro...see above)