Chávez. Plan andino y guerra asimétrica. (Chavez: The Andean Plan and Asymmetric War )
Reviewed by Mark L. Grover, Brigham Young Univ., Provo, Utah -- Críticas, 8/15/2008 8:59:00 AM
Garrido, Alberto.
Colombia: Intermedio, dist. by Random House Spanish. 2008. 135p. ISBN 978-958-709-757-3. pap. $15.95. CURRENT AFFAIRS
Originally published in 2006, this book describes and analyzes the history of Venezuela’s current president, HugoChávez, plans and programs of ideological unification as they relate to the United States. Garrido is a native Argentine political scientist and expert on Venezuela and Chávez, who unfortunately passed away in December of 2007. Chávez’s importance in world politics has been enhanced by his efforts to create a united South American political front to the United States’ power in the region. Known in part as the "plan andino" (Andean plan), this idea has had its challenges, in part, because of historical differences and conflicts between countries in the region, particularly next door neighbor, Colombia. Just earlier this year, those differences resulted in a disagreement that could have potentially provoked a military confrontation. Using a variety of sources including writings by U.S. governmental officials, the author suggests that the present regional conflicts have occurred because of the U.S. government’s manipulation of political and ideological differences between those countries. In fact, Garrido predicted a serious conflict with Colombia which would be used by the U.S. government to send military troops into the region. He thus places primary responsibility for conflict in the region as part of an orchestrated plan by the United States government to destabilize the region and thwart Chávez’s goal to unite South America. Librarians need to be aware that with this book, as well as with many others written about Venezuela on either side of the political spectrum at this time, political ideology influences the arguments and conclusions of the books; recommended for all libraries.
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