BRV MARKS INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH "PATRIOTISM,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 001352

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD
DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2017
TAGS: PGOV KDEM VE
SUBJECT: BRV MARKS INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH "PATRIOTISM,
SOCIALISM, OR DEATH!"


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Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR ROBERT R. DOWNES
FOR REASON 1.4 (D)


1. (C) Summary. The BRV commemorated the 196th anniversary
of Venezuela's Independence Day on July 5 with a
civil-military parade and an extraordinary session at the
National Assembly (NA). During the parade, members of the
pro-government communal councils marched alongside members of
the Bolivarian Armed Forces and Reservists Corps. The BRV's
slogan "Patriotism, Socialism or Death," was used pervasively
throughout the event. Following the parade, Janlisbert
"Libertad" Velasco, a pro-Chavez student leader from the
Central University of Venezuela, addressed the NA. President
Chavez was on hand for the day's events, but in rare fashion,
offered only brief comments at the military procession.
Separately, Minister of Popular Power for Foreign Affairs
Nicolas Maduro and Vice President Jorge Rodriguez strongly
criticized Latin American leaders for their supposed verbal
attacks against Venezuela. End Summary.

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"Patriotism, Socialism, or Death!"
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2. (SBU) The BRV marked the 196th anniversary of Venezuela's
Independence on July 5 with a civil-military parade that
included substantial participation by civilian groups loyal
to President Chavez. Over 12,000 members of the Bolivarian
Armed Forces and the Reservist Corps participated in the
ceremony. In addition, more than 3,000 members of
pro-government communal councils participated. Civilian
defense units linked to Seniat, the tax collection agency,
and petro-dependencies PDVSA and Pequiven also marched
shouting "Long Live Venezuela! We are Socialists!" Nine
Sukhoi aircraft were unable to perform previously scheduled
acrobatic maneuvers due to poor weather conditions. To
conclude the event, the parade's commander affirmed,
"Patriotism, Socialism, or Death! We Will Overcome!"


3. (C) As was the case last year and has been normal practice
for over a year for official military functions in Venezuela,
the DefAtt was not invited to the civilian-military parade.
The DefAtt attended the ceremony using the Ambassador's
invitation, which was delivered on July 4. DefAtt noted that
President Chavez appeared in good spirits and greeted the
diplomatic corps before the parade commenced.

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Chavez Leaves Speech to Others
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4. (SBU) Following the military parade, Chavez attended a
special session at the National Assembly (NA),but
surprisingly did not give a speech. Instead, Janlisbert
"Libertad" Velasco, a "Bolivarian" student leader from the
Central University of Venezuela (UCV) addressed the NA. She
is the first student to ever give the keynote address at the
July 5 festivities. Velasco referred to Chavez as the
"inspirational father" of the revolutionary youth and urged
legislators and judges to move the "revolution" forward.
Regarding the opposition, Velasco said that "reconciliation
is not possible with the coupsters, capitalists, oppressors,
and mafiosos." She also warned that the BRV is under
constant threat by the USG. Velasco, a communications major,
participated in the student debate hosted by the NA where
pro-RCTV student leaders walked out. Velasco is from the
impoverished and predominately pro-Chavez 23 de Enero
neighborhood on the outskirts of Caracas. It is rumored that
Velasco received training in Cuba.

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BRV Officials on ALBA, Mercosur
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5. (SBU) Separately, BRV officials strongly criticized Latin
America leaders for their supposed verbal attacks against
Venezuela. After attending a wreath laying ceremony at the
National Mausoleum, Minister of Popular Power for Foreign
Affairs Nicolas Maduro told the press that recent comments by
Peru's Foreign Minister regarding Chavez' Bolivarian
Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) could negatively affect
their bilateral relationship. Both Vice President Jorge
Rodriguez and Maduro blamed the "hysterical right-wing"
factions of the Brazilian and Paraguayan parliaments for
delaying Venezuela's inclusion into the South American common
market, Mercosur. Asked about the Ambassador's departure

CARACAS 00001352 002.2 OF 002


from Post, Maduro classified the Chief of Mission's tenure in
Venezuela as a "failure."

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Comment
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6. (C) Interestingly (and uncharacteristically),President
Chavez kept a low-profile during the July 5 festivities and
instead allowed others to express their revolutionary fervor.
Noticeably absent from the commemorative session at the
National Assembly were Cardinal Jorge Liberato Uroso Savino
and Podemos party leaders Ismael Garcia and Ricardo Gutierrez.

FRENCH