Defense Minister: The army will continue with the revolution

In the potential absence of Venezuelan President  Hugo Chávez, the National Bolivarian Armed Forces will continue supporting the way of revolution, said on Sunday Defense Minister Diego Molero Bellavia.

"In the possible absence of our Commander-in-Chief, such a scenario, we are certain, will not materialize, the National Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB) already knows what to do; it is fully prepared in the sense of continuing, ideologically, the way set 14 years ago by the leader of the Bolivarian revolution," a press release quoted, as posted on the website of La Verdad, a local daily newspaper in Zulia state.

The FANB is a much disciplined institution, keenly aware of ideological precepts and values, he commented. "Therefore, our task, in the event of President Chávez's absence, is very clear: to keep on bolstering and embracing the philosophy of action of this revolutionary process."

"There is one single scenario, that is: the gradual recovery of the President Commander and his quick return to take office again as the Head of State," the minister boasted during a visit to Coro, the capital city of Falcón state, together with Army General Commander Carlos Alcalá Cordones.