In loving, living memory, John Melançon 1928 – 2007
Regarding a memo allegedly from the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela to the CIA, obtained and publicized by the Venezuelan government (no sources or original documents were presented in the piece by James Petras, boy do I miss the NewStandard) –
the Embassy memo point to their success in mobilizing the private university students (backed by top administrators) to attack key government buildings including the Presidential Palace, Supreme Court and the National Electoral Council. The Embassy is especially full of praise for the ex-Maoist 'Red Flag' group for its violent street fighting activity. Ironically, small Trotskyist sects and their trade unionists join the ex-Maoists in opposing the constitutional amendments. The Embassy, while discarding their 'Marxist rhetoric', perceives their opposition as fitting in with their overall strategy.
This is happening right now (whether the memo is legit or not, the U.S. activities to undermine democracy and economic improvement in Venezuela are already well-documented).
See archives at http://narconews.com among other places.