From Hsinhua, December 27th.
HE guerrilla forces of the
Venezuelan National Liberation Armed Forces have smashed the recent “mopping-up” operations of government troops, according to a report from Caracas.
The guerrillas of Falcon State have defeated the government encirclement operation which lasted nearly two months killing or wounding about one hundred enemy troops and capturing a number of weapons. A helicopter and a Canberra of the government forces were shot down.
In the states of Trujillo and Portuguesa, the guerrillas have also smashed the government troops’ encirclement movements with the enthusiastic support of local inhabitants, inflicting heavy casualties.
In a recent ambush alone, about thirty government soldiers were killed or wounded, Forty police and soldiers were sent to a hospital. More and more government soldiers, demoralised by repeated defeats had deserted.
In the states of Barinas and Apure, members of the “guerrillas of the plain” had successfully resisted an attack by 2,000 government troops and broke through their encirlcement.
In Lara State, the guerrillas launched a counter-attack and occup:ed a number of towns including Guaito and Anzoategui,
Since the beginning of last November, government troops have wantonly dropped U.S.-made napalm bombs on and concentrated mortar fire at guerrilla bases, inflicting considerable loss in lives and properties on the peasants. Such atrocities have resulted in many peasants joining the guerrilla forces,