From prison, General Raúl Baduel denounces that “under a democratic cloak,” chavismo is creating “a fascist post-modern dictatorship.”
Former Venezuelan minister of defense, Raul Baduel, is considered a political prisoner despite the fact that Venezuelan President, Hugo Chávez, is godfather to his 6-year-old daughter. In his 37-square meter cell in the Ramo Verde military prison in Los Teques, located thirty kilometers from Caracas, he is about to reach the fourth year of an eight-year sentence imposed by a military court on charges of administrative irregularities. He is not allowed to have a mobile phone, but he does have access to television and radio through which he tries to stay informed on his country’s political course.
General Baduel claims he is an innocent victim of the Chavez regime. In any case, his prestige and authority in the military sector have not diminished as a result of his incarceration. On the contrary, his image has been strengthened. His comrades and prison mates all treat him with the highest military respect. This was confirmed when Spanish newspaper ABC visited the Ramo Verde prison.
How would you characterize the government that was established [in Venezuela] on January 10?
As a de facto government. On January 10, a pseudo-state was implemented, a fiction, a pirate regime dressed up in democratic garb that tries to hide the fact that it is a postmodern fascist dictatorship. Those who used to criticize the misuse of power in the forty years prior to chavismo are the same who have now reedited the conspiracy to its largest extent.
Is this the case of an illegal but legitimate government?
It is illegal, a de facto government imposed by the abject submission of public authorities that are controlled by Chavez, especially those within the legislative and judicial. The Supreme Court has endowed it with a mask of legitimacy, building on a sleight of interpretations. It is a constitutional coup.
Does chavismo possess an ideological identity that could allow it to continue without Chavez?
Chavismo has no ideological basis. It is an enhanced imitation of client-based schemes for profit. It’s exactly what traditional parties did in the past, but enhanced.
Are the Armed Forces revolutionary and are they attached to the Chavez regime?
There is a perverse intent in trying to convert the Armed Forces into a revolutionary body and in diverting them from the Constitution. That process has not resonated. In the military, there is a quiet rejection of politicization. The majority still respects its institutional nature.
What did you think about Cuban Vice President Miguel Diaz’s threat that Cuba would respond if the U.S. were to attack Venezuela?
A bluff and an unacceptable intrusion. The countries of the Western Hemisphere and the Americas have signed agreements and treaties which reject foreign aggression.
How about the Cuban military presence in the Venezuelan Armed Forces?
A shame. Until 2007 there was no Cuban foreign presence, when I was the minister of defense. Now there are Cubans in the operating units and that creates resentment amongst Venezuelans.
Can we talk about a Cuban military occupation?
The current state of affairs can be described not just as a military occupation of Venezuela by Cuba, but also as an economic, political, and social occupation. Chavez invited Fidel Castro to claim power in Venezuela and to spread his own brand of “castro-comunismo” throughout the country.
Is it right to ascribe so much power to Castro?
Do not underestimate Fidel Castro. He has mastered the supreme refinement of the art of war, which is to conquer other lands without swords or bloodshed.
Has corruption increased with chavismo?
Very much so. Corruption is like coughing and money, they’re both very hard to hide.
What do you know about the so called narco-generals who are in positions of power?
When I was defense minister, I had received information that members of the Armed Forces were involved in drug trafficking activities. I made Chavez aware of this information and he took no corrective actions.
What is your outlook for the country in the upcoming months?
Every day that passes increases uncertainty and potential conflict because the “provisional” government promotes polarization. Social disruption is latent and we already have the precedent of the 1989 “Caracazo”. I pray that there will be no violence. We are playing with fire, jeopardizing historical continuity… and all for one man, those that surround him, and their thirst for power.
What do you propose in order to address this crisis?
Let those who subscribe to democracy not stay inactive. And be careful not to fall prey to provocations. It is time to act like people of thought and to think like people of action.
Can you explain yourself better?
Since 2010, I have been proposing that we respond to this outrage by promoting non-violent political change for the increasingly weak democratic structures and institutions.
What do you recommend?
To act in accordance with the Constitution. Invoking article 333, which requires citizens to denounce those who alter and modify the Constitution like they actually did on January 10. My fear is that we are headquartering a movement of resignation rather than indignation.
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