2000: President Chavez Stopped 450 US Soldiers from Landing for “an extended stay”

The State of Vargas (renamed la Guaira in 2019) was located on the Caribbean Sea on an alluvial plain created by soil washed down from a nearby mountain range. The population of Vargas in 1999 was about 298,000. Between December 14 and 16, 1999, the region received 36 inches of rainfall. Mudslides caused massive destruction of most of the state infrastructure, including the collapse of most roads, bridges, housing, public and private buildings, and of basic services as electricity and communications. Official estimates were that some 50,000 were dead or missing. In the following weeks nearly the entire state's population was displaced.

Venezuela appealed for international help. The U.S initially sent military helicopters and cargo planes with medical supplies, water purification machines and 120 soldiers. The US provided $3.4 million in aid. On December 24, 1999, Defense Minister Raul Salazar accepted a US offer to send US soldiers for an extended stay to rebuild the coastal road. In mid-January 2000, the USS Tortuga set sail for Venezuela with 450 US soldiers on board. President Chavez ordered the USS Tortuga to turn around and not land in Venezuela citing the country’s” sovereignty.”

·       “American officials said they were dismayed by Mr Chavez’s announcement…….Chavez has thanked the United States for assistance, but he often speaks of the need to reduce American domination in the world.” [2]

·       “ No one voiced what many people were thinking: how could a self-styled revolutionary government possibly allow imperialist soldiers to make a practice landing on beaches just half an hour from the capital?”  [1]




  

1.     Gott, Richard, Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution, 2000

2.     New York Times, Despite Venezuela Rebuff, U. S. Will Keep Aiding Flood Victims, January 20, 2000

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