Posted on 11/13/2010 6:59:02 AM PST by mandaladon
The recent border dispute between Costa Rica and Nicaragua is a sign of an ambitious plan by Venezuela, Iran and Nicaragua to create a "Nicaragua Canal" linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans that would rival the existing Panama Canal.
Costa Rica says that last week Nicaraguan troops entered its territory along the San Juan River – the border between the two nations. Nicaragua had been conducting channel deepening work on the river when the incident occurred. Sources in Latin America have told Haaretz that the border incident and the military pressure on Costa Rica, a country without an army, are the first step in a plan formulated by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, with funding and assistance from Iran, to create a substitute for the strategically and economically important Panama Canal.
The plan has aroused concern in Washington, and the U.S. has started behind the scenes efforts to foil it.
(Excerpt) Read more at haaretz.com ...
Sounds like they plan to turn Costa Rica into A CANAL.
Plowshare lives!
Having a backup canal sounds like a GOOD thing.
IIRC, the original plan was to build a sea level canal across Nicaragua. It was 86ed when Nicaragua issued postage stamps commemorating a huge volcanic eruption near the proposed rout.
Opponents of this route sent letters to every congress critter and made a point of calling attention to the stamp.
(They neglected to mention that the eruption happened thousands of years ago)...
Know and keep in mind that Iran has the same GDP as the state of Alabama.
One would think that the Chinese would be all over it.
It would certainly expedite shipping to Atlantic markets.
BUT the narrow Panama Canal (which they own) cannot handle US warships (aircraft carriers) so there is a strategic value to keeping the US Atlantic fleet from rapidly responding to any Chinese action.
Come on. The idea that these three countries combined could build a second canal is laughable.
“Come on. The idea that these three countries combined could build a second canal is laughable.”
Interesting excuse to have a couple thousand Iranian RevGuards within striking distance of the real canal.
Wasn’t Jimmy Carter who gave away the canal? Plus the Monroe doctrine. Now we have Venezuela playing footsie with the new Hitler and arming up.
is there a map of the route it will take? I think its a good idea, if they want to build it
My first thoughts as well. With their combined technology and engineering prowess, at best they'll end up with a half-finished ditch, and have to abandon it early in the project when they bankrupt what's left of their socialist/totalitarian economies to fund it.
And, does not have the technical expertise to refine their own oil into gasoline in sufficient quantities to support their own domestic demand. They import a large portion of the gasoline they use, despite sitting on top of one of the world's richest oil fields. Iran being the headliner on a project to build a new canal across Nicaragua? I'd say the chances of success are zero....then throw Chavez into the mix? Pass the popcorn.....
But, but...has the UN signed off on allowing the horrific, apocalyptical environment damage this new canal would surely do to the delicately balanced ecosystems and micro-ecosystems of this unique, vulnerable area of Mother Earth....?
Obama keep an eye on these clowns? He and his “team” don’t even know where Costa Rica is located on a map. It took them several weeks to fine Honduras when its government was in turmoil.
Commies get EIR waivers every time.
That was painful.
After enough digging I was able to extract the little factoid that even expanded the Panama Canal can’t quite accommodate a Nimitz class Aircraft Carrier., unless you want to scrape bottom the whole length...
LOL. Chavez & the mad mullahs to add something economically productive to the world?
I give this 1 million to one against. These people only know how to kill, steal & destroy.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.