# "OPERATION PLIERS": CIA planning interference/coup in Venezuela referendum? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 29, 2007, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196 "2007-11-29T17:36:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/1 "2007-11-29T17:36:40Z")
Thread title ends in question mark because [this](http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=7475) is the only cite I’ve seen so far. > [@](#): > > On a scarier note, an internal CIA memorandum has been obtained by Venezuelan counterintelligence from the US Embassy in Caracas that reveals a very sinister - almost fantastical, were it not true - plan to destabilize Venezuela during the coming days. The plan, titled “OPERATION PLIERS” was authored by CIA Officer Michael Middleton Steere and was addressed to CIA Director General Michael Hayden in Washington. Steere is stationed at the US Embassy in Caracas under the guise of a Regional Affairs Officer. The internal memorandum, dated November 20, 2007, references the “Advances of the Final Stage of Operation Pliers”, and confirms that the operation is coordinated by the team of Human Intelligence (HUMINT) in Venezuela. The memo summarizes the different scenarios that the CIA has been working on in Venezuela for the upcoming referendum vote on December 2nd. The Electoral Scenario, as it’s phrased, confirms that the voting tendencies will not change substantially before Sunday, December 2nd, and that the SI (YES) vote in favor of the constitutional reform has an advantage of about 10-13 points over the NO vote. The CIA estimates abstention around 60% and states in the memo that this voting tendency is irreversible before the elections. > > \ > > CIA Officer Michael Steere recommends to General Michael Hayden two different strategies to work simultaneously: Impede the referendum and refuse to recognize the results once the SI vote wins. Though these strategies appear contradictory, Steere claims that they must be implemented together precisely to encourage activities that aim toward impeding the referendum and at the same time prepare the conditions for a rejection of the results. > > How is this to be done? > > In the memo, the CIA proposes the following tactics and actions: > > - Take the streets and protest with violent, disruptive actions across the nation > - Generate a climate of ungovernability > - Provoke a general uprising in a substantial part of the population > - Engage in a “plan to implode” the voting centers on election day by encouraging opposition voters to “VOTE and REMAIN” in their centers to agitate others > - Start to release data during the early hours of the afternoon on Sunday that favor the NO vote (in clear violation of election regulations) > - Coordinate these activities with Ravell & Globovision and international press agencies > - Coordinate with ex-militar officers and coupsters Pena Esclusa and Guyon Cellis - this will be done by the Military Attache for Defense and Army at the US Embassy in Caracas, Office of Defense, Attack and Operations (DAO) > > To encourage rejection of the results, the CIA proposes: > > - Creating an acceptance in the public opinion that the NO vote will win for sure > - Using polling companies contracted by the CIA > - Criticize and discredit the National Elections Council > - Generate a sensation of fraud > - Use a team of experts from the universities that will talk about how the data from the Electoral Registry has been manipulated and will build distrust in the voting system > > The CIA memo also talks about: > > - Isolating Chavez in the international community > - Trying to achieve unity amongst the opposition > - Seek an aliance between those abstentionists and those who will vote “NO” > - Sustain firmly the propaganda against Chavez > - Execute military actions to support the opposition mobilizations and propagandistic occupations > - Finalize the operative preparations on the US military bases in Curacao and Colombia to provide support to actions in Venezuela > - Control a part of the country during the next 72-120 hours > - Encourage a military rebellion inside the National Guard forces and other components Is this plausible? (I hope it is not even debatable whether it is **advisable** if true.) ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/2 "2007-11-29T17:53:17Z")
I don’t think Chavez is the Great Satan like some of our right-wing “friends”, but this smacks of disinformation to me. It sounds like the Venezuelan intelligence service is preparing the groundwork for suppression in case there is domestic protest or agitation after the election. “It’s the meddling Americans doing it, not good Venezuelans!” As we’ve seen in 21st century America, it’s always helpful for authoritarian governments to have evil outsiders to blame for vague, non-disprovable crimes. Plus, I don’t trust anything that an intelligence service says as a rule, no matter who’s side they’re on. ---
**Author:** ![lalenin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@lalenin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lalenin)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/3 "2007-11-29T17:54:27Z")
I’d say that both that site and the author are less than credible sources. If the same information is sourced and reported by a more reputable outlet, then maybe we can discuss it. In the meantime, talking about the fantasies of Eva Golinger is a futile endeavor. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/4 "2007-11-29T18:00:15Z")
[QUOTE=vibrotronica] I don’t think Chavez is the Great Satan like some of our right-wing “friends”, but this smacks of disinformation to me. [/QUOTE] I sure hope you’re right. Hate to think my tax dollars would be going for this sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/5 "2007-11-29T18:03:41Z")
Is it plausible that the CIA would conduct a secret and ill-advised intervention in the operations of a sovereign foreign government? Yeah, I wonder. Not that this particular lunacy is true, but history has certainly shown it to be plausible. Another reason not to engage in these backfire-prone dealings in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/6 "2007-11-29T18:09:41Z")
At last, an interesting… ::::looks at OP:::::: Oh. Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/7 "2007-11-29T18:36:46Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Is this plausible? [/quote] Yes. Is your source reliable? No. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/8 "2007-11-29T18:45:54Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] Yes. Is your source reliable? No. [/QUOTE] Based on what? Is this a source you’ve ever caught out in a lie? (Or are you referring to Venezuelan intelligence as the “source”?) ---
**Author:** ![Dumbguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Dumbguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dumbguy)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/9 "2007-11-29T18:46:38Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Hate to think my tax dollars would be going for this sort of thing. [/QUOTE] You can rest assured they are. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/10 "2007-11-29T18:51:36Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Based on what? Is this a source you’ve ever caught out in a lie? (Or are you referring to Venezuelan intelligence as the “source”?) [/QUOTE] The latter. And it’s not just because it’s Venezuela, although there would be an pretty obvious reason why Chavez might want to float that misinformation out there. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/11 "2007-11-29T18:54:01Z")
> [@](#): > > On a scarier note, an internal CIA memorandum has been obtained by Venezuelan counterintelligence from the US Embassy in Caracas that reveals a very sinister - almost fantastical, were it not true - plan to destabilize Venezuela during the coming days. :dubious: … :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Please BG…wait for something a bit more solid before opening these OP’s. Do you REALLY think that internal CIA memos that are this explosive are just laying about for someone to wander up and grab? Doesn’t this all seem a bit to pat to you? No? Well, it IS Chavez and Venezuela, so I guess I can see why you would buy it hook, line, sinker, reel and arm… -XT ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/12 "2007-11-29T18:56:17Z")
[QUOTE=xtisme] :dubious: … :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Please BG…wait for something a bit more solid before opening these OP’s. Do you REALLY think that internal CIA memos that are this explosive are just laying about for someone to wander up and grab? Doesn’t this all seem a bit to pat to you? No? Well, it IS Chavez and Venezuela, so I guess I can see why you would buy it hook, line, sinker, reel and arm… -XT [/QUOTE] I’m just waiting for someone to express outrage that whoever leaked the info committed “treason”. You, know, like the “treason” Libby is guilty of. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/13 "2007-11-29T19:05:01Z")
[QUOTE=xtisme] Do you REALLY think that internal CIA memos that are this explosive are just laying about for someone to wander up and grab? [/QUOTE] No, but there are unintentional leaks and interceptions – it has happened many, many times before. Secrets are hard to keep, even for professionals, and the more explosive the harder. ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/14 "2007-11-29T19:07:28Z")
You’d have to prove there was actually information there in the first place and that it was leaked instead of being snatched up by Venezuelan cointel agents fair and square. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/15 "2007-11-29T19:14:28Z")
[QUOTE=vibrotronica] You’d have to prove there was actually information there in the first place and that it was leaked instead of being snatched up by Venezuelan cointel agents fair and square. [/QUOTE] Snatched, leaked – what’s the difference? (Unless by “leaked” you mean this is deliberate disinformation on the part of the U.S. CIA, not Venezuelan intelligence – and I can’t imagine what the Company’s motive would be, there.) ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/16 "2007-11-29T20:03:03Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] I’m just waiting for someone to express outrage that whoever leaked the info committed “treason”. You, know, like the “treason” Libby is guilty of. [/QUOTE] Given the total lack of surety that any such memo exists, much less that it was leaked… Anyway, I sincerely hope there is such a plan, although I doubt it would be laying around an embassy. The CIA better be making plans, like the DoD, for every conceivable contingency. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/17 "2007-11-29T20:08:56Z")
[QUOTE=smiling bandit] Anyway, I sincerely hope there is such a plan, although I doubt it would be laying around an embassy. The CIA better be making plans, like the DoD, for every conceivable contingency. [/QUOTE] We’re not talking about a **contingency,** we’re talking about a plan that would have to be implemented this week if at all – the referendum at issue being scheduled for this coming Sunday. Once again, I hope there’s nothing to it. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/18 "2007-11-29T20:28:33Z")
The question is not whether we believe the source of the story. The question is “Is this plausible?” In the last half-century, my government has nudged government changes in several countries. The methods have ranged from simple spying and agitprop to outright overthrow of existing governments. So, if by “plausible,” the OP means, “would you believe the US government would plan such a thing,” I have to say yes. As to the credibility of the source, I have to give a shrug and a :dubious: . I don’t trust Venezuela’s spies any more than ours. Lying is one of the principal duties of a spy. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/19 "2007-11-29T21:19:02Z")
It’s fake. I can tell because of how awesome “Operation Pliers” sounds. Most of the time it’s either a jumble of letters or, if the activities are super dirty, some non-threatening noun (e.g. Project Shamrock, Operation Mockingbird, Operation Washtub, Operation Charly). The only one I can think up that was “radical” was Operation CHAOS, but that sounds like the villain’s plan from a Saturday morning cartoon. Speaking of the release of classified material, for most of the 20th century the U.S. government would regularly release formerly secret material to the public. It’d be ten, twenty, or thirty years after the fact and it might be redacted in some areas, but they’d release it. This is the best source of the hijinks our government has been doing since it’s from the horse’s mouth and no one can cry “conspiracy!” That’s not going to happen anymore, is it? Aren’t there laws which make it so the POTUS can now make things secret basically forever? We’re not going to learn about the fun things Clinton and Bush 43 did, are we? Returning to the OP, I guess we’ll find out how credible it is soon enough, right? ---
**Author:** ![lalenin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@lalenin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lalenin)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2007, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196/20 "2007-11-29T21:39:40Z")
[QUOTE=marshmallow] It’s fake. I can tell because of how awesome “Operation Pliers” sounds. [/QUOTE] Excellent point, the spanish name is also very cool and spy-like, “Operacion Tenaza”, which means pliers, but also means pincers or forceps, and is somewhat reminiscent of “amenaza” or threat. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pliers-cia-planning-interference-coup-in-venezuela-referendum/428196.md?page=2)