Mike Pouraryan
SP Week-End (3/6/2010): Latin America's Independent Path
Latin America's path to indepedence has been understandable after the legacy of a misguided and mis perceived US Foreign Policy that traces it roots all the way back to the Monroe Doctrine. The string of mliitary dictators who ruled Latin America with US Support continues to haunt them today. The fact that they have made moves to create a more indepedent path should not be a shock. From what I have seen coming out of Washington, it seems as if it is.
The latest manifestation of this independent path is what is going on in Brazil. Secretary Clinton was rebuffed by the Brazilians in her lobbying effort to stop the Brazilians from elevating their ever-expanding relationship with the Iranians. I will also be observing their moves to create their own regional bloc on top of a number of Economic Blocs that are already happening throughout (Mercur/etc.). Such independence does require a sense of responsiblity that seems to be lost on Venezuela and Argentina.
Let's first take Venezuela. I have written about Venezeula here and have been continually amazed as to how Hugo Chavez seems to have forgotten the idealism that prompted him to the World Stage. He has become increasingly dictatorial in how he governs Venezuela as Venezuela ever more into a cycle of povertry, crime and depravation. I think that the Electricity Problem is just one example. There is of course the advent of Venecuba. As Chavez has become increasingly paranoid, it has called upon Cuba to help govern the country. I have to wonder what qualifications Cuba has to modernize an identity card system. I also was disturbed by a recent report in the Economist Magazine that noted that Cuban Officials seemed to have more power than Venezuelan Officials. I think Cuba's achievements in Medicine, healthcare and education is commendable despite all the challenges. But, when Raul Castro himself has acknowledged shortcomings in the system and has talked about cutbacks, I have to wonder what Chavez is thinking. For Cuba, this is a win-win because it means hard currency. This notion of "socialist solidarity" is one thing and one thing only: hogwash.
Moving down South, there is Argentina. Nestor Kirchner became President after a period of profound instability and sought to change things. He also stepped down and engineered his wife's election. During the power couple's reign of power, they have gotten rich while the rest of the country seemed to have taken a back seat. Now, of course, the old Falklands dispute has been resurrected to help the Kirchner's divert attention from the current economic predicament. Furthermore, they have gotten rich. According to reports, the Kirchner's have had a increase in their assets from a little over 2 Million to over 2 Million. It includes a stake in Los Sauces, one of the most expensive hotels in El Calafate. El Calafate happens to be the home town of the Kirchners. There is of the course the fact that there are quite a few people who have gotten rich because of the Kirchner's. Interestingly enough, there has also been the raid on Argentina's version of the US Social Security System to help pay for a surge in public works project to basically buy votes.
The people of Latin America are hard working, industrious and deserve leaders who truly have their best interests at heart. I think they need leaders in the mold of Lula and Bachalat. It is critical that Latin American Leaders act responsibly and not think of themselves. The Kirchners and Mr. Chavez need to be reminded of it.
The Latin Americans had a sumit in Mexico and said that they would form their own group. They seem to find the team to do such meetings all the time.
The latest manifestation of this independent path is what is going on in Brazil. Secretary Clinton was rebuffed by the Brazilians in her lobbying effort to stop the Brazilians from elevating their ever-expanding relationship with the Iranians. I will also be observing their moves to create their own regional bloc on top of a number of Economic Blocs that are already happening throughout (Mercur/etc.). Such independence does require a sense of responsiblity that seems to be lost on Venezuela and Argentina.
Let's first take Venezuela. I have written about Venezeula here and have been continually amazed as to how Hugo Chavez seems to have forgotten the idealism that prompted him to the World Stage. He has become increasingly dictatorial in how he governs Venezuela as Venezuela ever more into a cycle of povertry, crime and depravation. I think that the Electricity Problem is just one example. There is of course the advent of Venecuba. As Chavez has become increasingly paranoid, it has called upon Cuba to help govern the country. I have to wonder what qualifications Cuba has to modernize an identity card system. I also was disturbed by a recent report in the Economist Magazine that noted that Cuban Officials seemed to have more power than Venezuelan Officials. I think Cuba's achievements in Medicine, healthcare and education is commendable despite all the challenges. But, when Raul Castro himself has acknowledged shortcomings in the system and has talked about cutbacks, I have to wonder what Chavez is thinking. For Cuba, this is a win-win because it means hard currency. This notion of "socialist solidarity" is one thing and one thing only: hogwash.
Moving down South, there is Argentina. Nestor Kirchner became President after a period of profound instability and sought to change things. He also stepped down and engineered his wife's election. During the power couple's reign of power, they have gotten rich while the rest of the country seemed to have taken a back seat. Now, of course, the old Falklands dispute has been resurrected to help the Kirchner's divert attention from the current economic predicament. Furthermore, they have gotten rich. According to reports, the Kirchner's have had a increase in their assets from a little over 2 Million to over 2 Million. It includes a stake in Los Sauces, one of the most expensive hotels in El Calafate. El Calafate happens to be the home town of the Kirchners. There is of the course the fact that there are quite a few people who have gotten rich because of the Kirchner's. Interestingly enough, there has also been the raid on Argentina's version of the US Social Security System to help pay for a surge in public works project to basically buy votes.
The people of Latin America are hard working, industrious and deserve leaders who truly have their best interests at heart. I think they need leaders in the mold of Lula and Bachalat. It is critical that Latin American Leaders act responsibly and not think of themselves. The Kirchners and Mr. Chavez need to be reminded of it.
The Latin Americans had a sumit in Mexico and said that they would form their own group. They seem to find the team to do such meetings all the time.
