Venezuela

[Swami]

With the other thread about the Caribbean Cup drawing so much interest, I thought I'd start one on the overall situation in Venezuela.

Like most others who go there to fish, I've never felt it was dangerous to my personal safety, any moreso than fishing in Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico or any other remote places I've been in Central America. I've also never cared much for getting involved in politics either--in my experience the best way to piss off a local is to talk politics or religion, so I try to avoid both.

However, with that being said, it sure seems like things are getting sideways in Venezuela. Below are two short news pieces from CNN about President Chavez and his recent activities. Please note the dates, this has transpired in the last week.

Please take a look--I look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.



U.S. fears Venezuela could trigger regional arms race
updated 1:57 a.m. EDT, Wed September 16, 2009

From Elise Labott
CNN State Department Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States fears recent weapons purchases by Venezuela could fuel an arms race in South America, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday.

Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez met and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington on Tuesday.

"They outpace all other countries in South America and certainly raise the question as to whether there is going to be an arms race in the region," Clinton said about Venezuela's arms deals, after a meeting with Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez.

The Russian government Monday extended $2.2 billion in credit to Venezuela to finance arms purchases, including 92 Soviet-era T-72 tanks and short-range missiles with a reach of 55 miles (90 kilometers).

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez also said his nation will purchase an anti-aircraft weapons system with a range of 185 miles (300 kilometers).

The planned arms purchases come at a time when Venezuela is at odds with neighboring Colombia over negotiations that would give U.S. troops access to Colombian military bases.

Chavez has said his military buildup is in response to the growing U.S. presence in the region, which he calls threatening and dangerous to Latin America.

The United States is also concerned about deepening ties between Venezuela and Iran. In addition to ongoing military cooperation, Chavez said in Tehran last week that the Iranian government would help Venezuela develop nuclear technology.

In exchange, Venezuela has offered to export gasoline to Iran, which would give Tehran an out if Western nations impose petroleum sanctions over Iran's nuclear program. Senior administration officials say Venezuela's attempt at "sanctions busting" is alarming.

Clinton urged Venezuela to be transparent about its weapons purchases.

Venezuela, she said, "should be putting in place in procedures and practices to ensure that the weapons they buy are not diverted to insurgent groups or illegal organizations like drug trafficking gangs and other criminal cartels."

Vazquez voiced concern that an arms race in South America would divert funds from badly needed development in poor countries.

"We should devote our energies and resources to fight against the real scourges of our societies ... such as drug trafficking and terrorism," he said. "Instead of spending it in weapons, spending it in housing, good housing for our people, and to further deepen investment, especially in the field of education."



Venezuela bought Russian arms, Chavez says as trip concludes
Russia sells Venezuela "little rockets," president says upon return home

updated 7:55 a.m. EDT, Sat September 12, 2009
(CNN) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez returned home Friday after a sometimes controversial nine-country tour and said he had purchased weapons from Russia.

Chavez appeared on Venezuelan news channel Globovision in Caracas, and he had a message about a purchase he made in Russia.

"By the way, we signed some military agreements with Russia. Well ... soon will arrive some little rockets," Chavez said. "We are not going to attack anyone. ... Those are only defense instruments because we are going to defend the nation, from any threat, from wherever it comes."

Chavez said the rockets could fly as far as missiles with a range of 185 miles.

Chavez made news on many parts of his recent tour.

In Moscow, Russia, on Thursday, he announced that Venezuela has decided to recognize the independent republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, becoming just the third country, after Russia and Nicaragua, to do so.

Chavez earlier had visited Iran, where he pledged to export 20,000 barrels per day of gasoline to strengthen bilateral ties.

He also visited Syria, where news reports said he told thousands at a soccer stadium that Israel's government was "genocidal."

Chavez's tour also included stops in Libya, Algeria, Spain, Turkmenistan, Belarus and Italy.

[fishvenezuela]

Where do I start?..............hmmmm?

First of all, none of this in new news. In fact it is old news.

Venezuela, like all soverign nations in the World communities have the right to defend their own territory and/or national interests, No?

Venezuela is updating their military inventory. It is their right to do so. They first sought weapons from the US and for POLITICAL reasons the US denied any weapons contracts to Venezuela for new and existing equipment.

The government then starting shopping elsewhere. Since the USSR collapsed, Russia has become the World's main arms supplier. It is BIG business with lots of corrupt deals and big commissions.

Brazil and Colombia are updating their militarys also.

If it concerns you that Venezuela is buying $2.2 billion in military equipment, you should be really concerned living in the USA when the government spends $500 billion ANUALLY on its military.

$500,000,000,000(annualy) vs $2,200,000,000 (one time purchase) Appalling isn't it?

Having that been said, I think the government here has its prioritys backwards. They should be spending more money on schools, hospitals, security, prisons and infrastructure, etc. This is an ongoing latin america problem.

Chavez has become a problem and the Venezulan people will dispose him sooner or later.

In the meantime Swami, what does any of this have to do with the fishing?.... In one of your previous post, I got the impression that you have not been to Venezuela in some time. If you do not feel comfortable, then don't go.

By the way, it is a pity that your poor friends decided to go to Los Roques instead of fishing offshore. I am willing to bet that they're having a big time!...... Not too many fishing locals have that option should the offshore action cool off. Los Roques is truly a paradise.

[andyatkins_1]

Over the years i have had the priveledge to travel most of the world for pleasure and in my short time on this planet (27 years and counting) I have travelled through some pretty outrageous countries including Isreal during some its more disturbing times, kenya in the riots, Peru during one of the small uprisings, Mexico in the middle of the swine flu outbreak etc.

Unfortunately Venezuela is the hot topic at the moment in the world press, although not so much in the UK as we are still dealing with the fallout of the release of the Lockerbie bomber etc....

However for the mere mortals like me, the draw of Venezuela and the amazing fishing overrides everything else. The people who i have had the priveledge to meet and speak to from the area are fantastically friendly and like Swami said, avoid talking politics and religion but would rather speak of the great positives the country has!

My aim within the world of big game fishing is trying everything and the draw of completing a Royal Slam would n't be complete without a trip out to the Atlantic to tick the required species off!

I fly in a week or two and can not wait for the chance to battle the native pelagics, large and small and any chance is something to be truly pleased about!

any current catch reports/info/advice will be greatly received by anyone in the position to help, good or bad it all helps in gearing up for a trip!

[Swami]

AndyAdkins, I’m sure you’ll have a grand time, and it's the best place for shots at the Atlantic billfish species. It sounds like FishVenezuela is well-connected so maybe he can offer some insight on your upcoming trip.

Even if the fish don’t bite, the Venezuelan rum is quite spectacular!

FishVZ: Thanks for your input--you bring up some excellent points, especially regarding how much the US spends on national defense. Like Venezuela, we too should spend less on the military and more on things like infrastructure, schools, hospitals, prisons, etc. And yes, every nation certainly has the right to self-defense.

But if you protect your home with a baseball bat and your neighbor buys a pistol, then you need a pistol too. Then he buys a rifle, so you have to buy a rifle. Everybody loses.

I haven't been back to VZ for two years but it's simply because I have chosen to explore new places, never because I felt unsafe or afraid to return. However, there are many in the US, especially the wealthy boat owners, who do not feel the same way. Chavez makes them very nervous, and since they’re dealing with assets worth millions of dollars (their boat, tackle, crew, etc) they are often not as willing to take the risk to fish someplace they consider politically unstable. At the end of the day, sometimes politics and fishing are tied together.

And yes, my friends are having a great time in Los Roques--I wish I was there.

[Ozimo2]

Just left the best fishing we've had in LaGuaira in sometime and now heading for Guri Lake.

[Ozimo2]

By the way, it is a pity that your poor friends decided to go to Los Roques instead of fishing offshore. I am willing to bet that they're having a big time!...... Not too many fishing locals have that option should the offshore action cool off. Los Roques is truly a paradise.

The bluewater fishing off Gran Roque is spectacular. A friend caught a 100kg Yellowfin there last year and several others have caught huge Wahoo and White Marlin too.

[andyatkins_1]

any updates from anyone on how the fishing is?

i fly out on Saturday and start fishing Sunday so if I don't hear anything before then i shall take it everyone is too busy hauling in fish to be posting...!

[Marlinhunter2]

Venezuelan fishing report for 20-21-22 Sept:

Turn Me Loose – 61 Buddy Davis – Capt. Terry Brennan, Hanson party:
4 whites, 3 blues, 1 sail

Waterman – 47 Whiticar – Capt. Jimmy Grant: 18 whites, 1 sail

Tijereta – 54 Taylor Carolina – Capt. Bubba Carter: 15 whites

[andyatkins_1]

awesome stuff!

thanks for the report!

[Marlinhunter2]

Local boats reporting:

2 blues and 8 whites,
3 whites and 1 sail