Caracas Police Force Ducks Bullets and Politics*** Outgunned by criminals, dodging bullets, stones and fireworks at protests, Caracas' Metropolitan Police are under fire from another enemy: the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Left-winger Chavez is threatening to take over control of the 9,000-strong autonomous force for the second time in seven months after officers used tear gas and shotgun pellets June 13 to disperse a violent stone-throwing mob of Chavez supporters.
The populist president regularly pillories the city police force, run by anti-Chavez mayor Alfredo Pena and known by its Spanish initials "PM," as a murderous, subversive band of coup plotters bent on trying to topple him. Other regional units controlled by opposition state governors, who under the Constitution can run their own police forces, are also viewed by Chavez as hostile. "If I have to take over these police again, I will. ... We, as the state, hold the monopoly of force," Chavez said recently.***
Caracas Police Under Fire From Hugo Chavez*** Venezuelan metropolitan police take cover behind their shields during clashes with supporters of President Hugo Chavez in Caracas in this June 13, 2003 file photo. Outgunned by criminals, dodging bullets, stones and fireworks at demonstrations, Caracas` metropolitan police are under fire from another enemy; the government of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.***
This guy sounds like Clinton:
"If I have to take over these police again, I will. ... We, as the state, hold the monopoly of force," Chavez said recently.*
Wow. For a minute there I thout he was personally doing everything. Then he switches to "we." Who does he mean by "we?"