Salem-News.com Venezuela articles Page 4

Rescue of Ingrid Betancourt From FARC May be Among Most Daring in History

Independence day has its own reality for several people freed last week from Colombian guerrillas.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Sometimes life is as awesome as it is tragic, and that is no easy competition in this day and age. Last week's surprise rescue of Ingrid Betancourt from FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, shows that even a highly remote long-shot can be reality and that people are brave, very brave, in their willingness to help an innocent person regain their freedom.

Betancourt is a 46-year old French-Colombian politician, former senator and anti-corruption activist, who was kidnapped by the FARC on February 23rd 2002 while campaigning for the presidency.

FARC has held several hundred people hostage over the years, as bargaining chips for their political maneuvering.

Venezuela`s Hugo Chavez Tells FARC Revolutionaries the `Guerrilla War is History`

Hugo Chavez says it is time for the Revolutionary guerrillas in Columbia to cool their heels and end their reign.

(SALEM, Ore.) - He still has his share of critics, but Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is removing obstacles that he believes could eventually be used as a reason for a preemptive strike against his country.

U.S. Navy Announces Re-Establishment of U.S. Fourth Fleet

Some say it could be another setup for a preemptive military strike.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead announced today the re-establishment of the U.S. Fourth Fleet and assigned Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan, currently serving as commander, Naval Special Warfare Command, as its new commander.

Fourth Fleet will be responsible for U.S. Navy ships, aircraft and submarines operating in the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Effective July 1st, the command will have operational responsibility for U.S. Navy assets assigned from east and west coast fleets to operate in the SOUTHCOM area.