Pubdate: Sat, 01 Oct 2005 Source: Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA) Copyright: 2005 Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/460 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Venezuela Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Hugo+Chavez Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) CHAVEZ & DRUGS: ADDICTED TO POWER By hindering U.S. efforts to curb the flow of cocaine and heroin through Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez reveals a mind-warping addiction that unhinges all reason. Indeed, no narcotic is as addictive, or as destructive, as the sense of power in a misguided mind. Little Castro has ordered his leftist regime to stop cooperating with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, accusing it of espionage. Under the influence of corrupting power, reason is the first thing that rots. Chavez's own National Guard is involved in drug trafficking, authorities say. Guardsmen have stolen thousands of dollars in U.S.-donated surveillance equipment. Caracas fails to crack down on coca and poppy fields near its border with Colombia. And Chavez has replaced Venezuela's top drug cops with his own stooges. Meanwhile, cocaine and heroin pass through Venezuela en route to the United States and Europe. Even if Chavez doesn't have a direct hand in this -- and that remains to be seen -- perhaps his government is benefiting in other ways. The U.S. has since removed Venezuela from its allies in the war on drugs but will continue to supply aid to pro-democracy groups that oppose Chavez. That still leaves open the Venezuelan drug connection. Illegal drug trafficking is a worldwide anathema. As such, Chavez must show that Venezuela is part of the solution -- not part of the problem. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake