Chavez in South America

PAST RELATIONS WITH LULA

• DIFFERING VIEWS• MEDIATOR USA-COLOMBIA-VENEZUELA• BANCO SURE• SIGNED A SERIES COOPERATION ACCORDS• SOME DISAGREEMENTS (MAINLY USA)

Chavez and Brazil

Chavez and Brazil

Chavez and Dilma

Continue in Lula’s footstepsNational Bank of Economic and Social Development (BNDES)Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)Exports increased by 43%, 30 new agreements

Chavez and Brazil

Chavez’s “Peace Area” – What is it? Less influence for the “Empire” in South America More cooperation among countries of the continent Economic growth “ Offer of Doctors/treatment in shantytowns

Chavez and Chavez and CorreaCorrea

Chavez’s Support of EcuadorChavez’s Support of Ecuador

March 2008: Colombian raid in Ecuador prompts president Rafael Correa to remove diplomat from Bogotá.

Chavez immediately indicates allegiance to Ecuador, releases statements to press.

Chavez also ordered 10 battalions of troops to the Colombian border and the closure of Venezuela's embassy in Bogotá.

When Uribe accuses Chavez of supplying funding to FARC, Correa and Chavez stood together calling him a traitor and liar.

Chavez & Correa RelationshipChavez & Correa Relationship

Many political analysts have called Correa the “New Chavez”

Correa describes Chavez as a “close friend” Correa has many similarities between his

administration and Chavez Correa called for new constituent assembly as

Chavez did. Correa campaigned against government corruption Mutual support in the opposition of US

Movement toward the progression of socialism and nationalization of oil

Both leaders expressed intent to create international bodies within UNASUR to protect governments and people against the unethical behavior of news media

Chavez was quick to release statements in support of Correa and the government he had put in place after the coup attempt.

Chavez and CristinaChavez and Cristina

Chavez and Cristina’s Chavez and Cristina’s RelationshipRelationship

• Venezuela and Argentina unite against the United States and the Obama Administration

• 2007 bribery incident involving Cristina’s presidential campaign

• In March of 2011 Chavez was given the Argentine Press Freedom Award for his questioning of the media and its “few owners

• Chavez and Cristina also agree on the importance of UNASUR and regional integration

• Both leaders denounce the interference of Europe and the US in Libya.

• Argentina-Venezuela High Level Bi-National Commission (COBAN)

UNASUR

UNASUR Constitutive Treaty – May 23, 200812 NationsSimilar to European

UnionCombines Mercosur and Andean Community of

Nations (CAN)Legal entity as of March 11, 2011

Purpose of UNASUR

Economic and Social Cooperation

Employment Opportunities

Common MarketGlobal EconomyImprove Standard

of Living

Chavez on UNASUR

Considers UNASUR to be “vital”“We are talking about union, not integration,

because that is a concept that grew out of the project of hegemonic neo-liberal globalization. Later on, we developed this conscience that embraces a unitary, originary project based on the project of the Great South American Fatherland.”

"Only in unity will we later have, progressively, complete political, economic, cultural, scientific, technological, and military independence.”

Chavez in UNASUR

Venezuela and Ecuador were first to approve

Venezuela vs. Colombia

Appointing of Ecuador’s Rodrigo Borja as general secretary

One of three major power players

Chavez and Bolivia

Evo Morales elected in 2006• Opposes capitalism and Liberalism•Ally to Fidel Castro and the Cuban socialist gover-nment

Chavez and Bolivia

2008 unrest in Bolivia, Chavez comes out and supports Morales blaming the United States for interfering

Morales dismisses US ambassador

Chavez then decides to dismiss US ambassador due to solidarity

Chavez and Bolivia

• Chavez has given Bolivia over $140 million dollars in loans since the election of Morales

• Could be even more because most of the agreements weren’t made public

• Most of the aid is for agricultural purposes • Other factors are military, cattle ranches,

sanitation companies, and the oil industry

Chavez and Bolivia

In 2006 Bolivia joins Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA)

Comprised of 8 nations (Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Mission is to trade and enhance cooperation for economic aid and social welfare

Chavez and Bolivia

• In 2007 US cut 25% of Bolivian aid mainly because of Chavez’s heavy influence

• View of Bolivia’s relationship is split within the country

• Poor people favor the relationship and appreciate any aid they can get

• Wealthy resent the fact that Bolivia is becoming a mirror image of Venezuela