Chavez forms personal militia

Washington Times: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has formed a personal militia, which he claims would defend the nation against possible U.S. aggression.

lberto Muller Rojas, Chavez's national security adviser, said the formation of the force was logical in the face of what Chavez called increasing provocations by the United States, which he said wanted to gain access to his country's immense oil wealth.
The militia was created last fall by a law that placed it directly under Chavez's authority, bypassing the military command structure. The new force, combined with a general military buildup that has included purchases of arms, aircraft and naval vessels, is a source of increasing concern to the United States, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Venezuelan officials insist the Territorial Guards were formed mainly to perform public works and deliver disaster relief and will fight only if foreigners attack the homeland.
Chavez critics predict that he will use the Territorial Guards to spy on opponents and deploy them as his personal shock troops. Others expect Chavez to use them to marshal support in the December presidential election.