Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CARACAS1384
2007-07-11 16:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Caracas
Cable title:  

THE MILITARY MOVES FURTHER RED

Tags:  MARR PROV PREL VE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9378
PP RUEHAG RUEHROV
DE RUEHCV #1384/01 1921619
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 111619Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY CARACAS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9226
INFO RUEHWH/WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY
RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN PRIORITY
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0881
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 001384 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2027
TAGS: MARR PROV PREL VE
SUBJECT: THE MILITARY MOVES FURTHER RED

REF: A. CARACAS 782

B. CARACAS 732

C. CARACAS 505

D. CARACAS 424

E. CARACAS 071

CARACAS 00001384 001.3 OF 002


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

-------
Summary
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 001384

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2027
TAGS: MARR PROV PREL VE
SUBJECT: THE MILITARY MOVES FURTHER RED

REF: A. CARACAS 782

B. CARACAS 732

C. CARACAS 505

D. CARACAS 424

E. CARACAS 071

CARACAS 00001384 001.3 OF 002


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

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) The July 6 replacement of Defense Minister Raul
Isaias Baduel with Gustavo Rangel Briceno does not bode well
for the future of the Venezuelan Armed Forces (FAN). Baduel,
a long-time supporter of Chavez, was perhaps the last
remaining cabinet member to make even mild statements
contradicting Chavez' policies, particularly Chavez' efforts
to further politicize the military. This follows the
dismissal of Presidential adviser Army General Alberto Muller
Rojas who, while asserting that party politics was nothing
new in the Venezuelan military, became too public in his
disagreements with Baduel, and to a lesser extent with
Chavez, harming Chavez' image. Rangel, on the other hand, is
in line with Chavez' more politically radical appointments,
such as Foreign Minister Maduro and Vice President Jorge
Rodriguez. All three appear to unquestioningly and
enthusiastically support Chavez' policies. Rangel also
appears to be the driving force for implementing, under
Chavez' direction, the reserve forces, which Chavez created
to partially counterbalance the traditional armed forces.
Baduel's dismissal, particularly in such a low key manner,
was due to politics and loyalty and not, as some have said,
because of the nude photos of Baduel that had recently
appeared on the internet. End Summary.

Chavez Focuses on Military
--------------

2. (C) Chavez focused additional attention in recent days on
the FAN, partially to offset disquiet initiated by his
introduction of the oath "Patria, Socialismo or Muerte!" (my
country, socialism or death) into military daily life, and
partially do to public disagreements among his senior
military advisers. On June 24, the 186th anniversary of the
Battle of Carabobo, he announced a 30 percent pay raise for
military personnel, including retirees. Traditionally the
Venezuelan military are shuffled around Venezuelan

Independence Day on July 5th, although perhaps less so in
recent years, when promotions and retirements are announced.
This year the President announced over 3,300 military
promotions, explicitly tying their promotions to their
commitment to and fervor for the revolution.

Baduel Dismissed
--------------

3. (C) Late on July 6, during a military graduation
ceremony, in a rather low key manner, and oddly on Baduel's
birthday, President Chavez announced the replacement of
Defense Minister General Raul Baduel with the commander of
the reserves, General Gustavo Rangel Briceno. While the
traditional time of the year for such a move, the manner was
unusually low-key and caught many by surprise. For example,
Baduel's elevation to Minister was signaled at the
anniversary of Carabobo in 2006 and then announced July 5,

2006. In this case the announcement was made late on Friday
night after the normal news cycle, perhaps to minimize any
potential negative reaction. There was no prior indication
that Rangel would move up at this time, in fact the rumor was
that Baduel would be carried over at least until the end of
the year. In press interviews in the days after the
announcement, both Baduel and Rangel indicated they were
surprised by the announcement, with Rangel saying he had
expected to head the reserves for another two years.


4. (C) Raul Isaias Baduel was a long time supporter of
Chavez. Born in 1955 in Guarico, Baduel was one of four
co-founders of the Movimento Bolivariano Revolucionario 200
and supported Chavez in his 1992 coup attempt. Eleventh in
his military academy class (1976),Baduel was also commander
of the parachute brigade in April 2002 that was instrumental
in returning Chavez to power. Unlike his predecessor, Baduel
at times spoke out at odds with the president's statements.
Baduel and Chavez publicly disagreed over the politicization
of the military during the Fall 2006 Presidential campaign.

CARACAS 00001384 002.3 OF 002


When Chavez said the FAN was rojo-rojito (red-red) like the
state-owned energy company PdVSA, implying it embraced the
revolution, Baduel publicly differed noting the Venezuelan
constitution called for it to defend the country but to be
politically neutral. Following Chavez' institution of the
new military oath, Baduel also raised mild public concerns
with this approach.

Agreement Not Enough
--------------

5. (C) Baduel's replacement follows the dismissal of Army
General Alberto Muller Rojas, a strong supporter of Chavez,
who was called out of retirement in 2006 to advise the
military. He frequently appeared on government television
providing ideological support for Chavez. Muller Rojas was
dismissed on the June 24 Carabobo anniversary following an
interview with pro-government newspaper Ultimas Noticias. In
this and other statements he implied party politics were
nothing new in the Venezuelan FAN. He also too publicly
disagreed with Baduel on policy matters, including over
announcements of possible purchases of Russian submarines.
(He also differed publicly with Chavez on the method and
content of the submarine announcement, but not on the wisdom
of the purchase.) Muller Rojas was criticized by the
opposition for his involvement while an active duty officer,
in the organization of PSUV, Chavez' United Socialist Party
of Venezuela. (Comment: Muller Rojas' public statements, at
odds with Baduel created unnecessary public controversy.
Chavez, under criticism for the closure of RCTV and internal
dissension over the creation of PSUV, apparently decided he
needed less public discussion on the military side. He chose
therefore to remove Muller Rojas and replace Baduel with
someone who would unquestioningly and less vocally follow his
directions. End comment.)

Loyalty First
--------------

6. (C) New Minister of Defense Gustavo Reyes Rangel Briceno
was born in Maracaibo on August 16, 1955 and finished seventh
in his military academy class (1978),where he studied
mechanical engineering. He served as commander of the Fourth
Army Division from September 2004 until 2005 when he became
Army Inspector General. In August 2006 he was named head of
the Reserve and Mobilization Command. In this capacity he
became the driving force, under Chavez' guidance, behind the
creation and expansion of the reserves.


7. (C) Comment - While some are trying to link the retirement
of Baduel to nude (and apparently authentic) pictures of the
former Minister that hackers posted on government and other
internet websites in recent weeks, it instead reflects
Chavez' continued efforts to consolidate his control and
stifle even the mildest discussion of his policies. While
Baduel's criticism of Chavez was measured, Chavez does not
tolerate dissidence in any form. Rojas Muller on the other
hand brought additional attention to policy measures and made
public internal disagreements putting Chavez in an
unfavorable light. Rangel is more akin to other recent Chavez
appointments, such as Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro and
Vice President Jorge Rodriguez, both of whose predecessors at
times disagreed publicly with Chavez and both of whom are
unequivocal Chavez supporters. The appointment also does not
bode well for the FAN, which now will be lead by a strong
supporter of (although no longer director for) expanding the
reserves as both a counterbalance to and competitor for
resources for the FAN.

FRENCH