Reserve army of 150,000 troops is "illegal"
"The attempts of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez at organizing
a reserve army of 150,000 troops under his direct command is
unconstitutional and illegal, as it would be aside from the
Defense Ministry," opposition deputy Carlos Casanova said.
"Armed forces are composed of the army, the aviation, the navy
and the national guard. Any reserve group should be under an
army component (...) Article 242 of the Constitution states
that the President rules the armed forces through the Defense
Minister," said the congressman for Polo Democrático in
a press release.
"It would be very serious if the contingent intended to be
headed by the President outnumbers the whole armed forces. The
President has no constitutional or legal power for such purpose,"
he added.
According to Casanova, such a reserve army would be beyond
the parliament political control.
"Such armed reserve is in line with the plans for a revolutionary
militia in Venezuela that ensures President Hugo Chávez'
stay in office. We are quickly moving forward a Cuban-style
dictatorship, and the Venezuelan people do not share such
a goal."
|
