Venezuela: Chávez’s financial crisis paradox

Read more at: www.latampolitics.comTo President Hugo Chávez, the US financial crisis is also the result of a lack of ethics and of “unjust law”. His words came during the 3rd Summit of Presidents of Judicial Branches of the Union of South American Nations, taking place...

Venezuela: $6.7 bi spent in military arsenal

Read more at: www.latampolitics.comIn the last three years, the Venezuelan government has spent more than $6.7 billion to buy weapons from countries such as Russia, Belarus, China and Spain. In Latin America, Venezuela is the main buyer of Russian weapons. In 2005 alone, 12...

Bolivia: ATPDEA suspension calls for new markets

Read more at: www.latampolitics.comThe US House of Representatives approved the extension of the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA) to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, despite demands by President George W. Bush that benefits to Bolivians be...

Brazil: Lula’s strength today is similar to the Real Plan in 1994

Read more at: www.latampolitics.comIn 1994, President Lula lost the elections in first-round voting because, amongst other reasons, he vehemently attacked the Real Plan. During that year, Lula stated that the plan was electoral and was only put together in order to elect...

Venezuela: Not considered strategic ally by Russia

Read more at: www.latampolitics.comRussia does not consider Venezuela a strategic ally such as Cuba was in the past. Nevertheless, the approximation to Caracas aims at sending a clear message to the United States. Establishing an agreement with Venezuela is more important to...

Colombia: Allies want Uribe again (for the third time!)

Read more at: www.latampolitics.comAlvaro Uribe`s allies presented in the Colombian Congress, today, an amendment proposing one more reelection for 2014. The initiative came from dozens of congressmen who are integrants of Uribe`s coalition. If the amendment is approved, this...

Iranian President “worried” with Latin America

Read more at: www.latampolitics.comThe Iranian President, Mahmud Ahmadinejad affirmed that the security and culture of some Latin American nations are threatened by foreign governments and embassies representing the “empire” (aka USA). This affirmation does not come as a...

Observing Brazil - Argentina Relations

The relationship between Brazil and Argentina are better with Cristina Kirchner than they were with Nestor Kirchner. Though we must consider that during the first 100 days of Cristina`s government, she has been involved mostly with domestic problems, and not with foreign...

South American Political Agenda

This weekend’s (July 18-20) events are symbolic of the theme that should prevail in the Brazilian diplomatic agenda over the next few weeks.  Yet again, South America and the negotiations of the Doha Round at the World Trade Organization (WTO) will be in the spotlight.At...

Argentina: Cristina seeks peace with ruralists

After 129 days trying to administrate a political conflict with the rural producers, Cristina Kirchner apparently sorted things out. Although it was not based on her own interests, but on a decision from the Senate.The problem began when the government aimed to control prices...

Observing Brazil - US Relations

Ideological aspects apart, the Brazil – U.S. relationship is good. Lula has a good personal relationship with President George W. Bush. To some White House officials, their main concerns towards Brazil in the moment are:-          Knowing better who are the...

A Look Into Brazil`s Foreign Policy

Since the beginning of Lula`s administration, Brazil`s foreign policy has been characterized as being more ideological than the domestic policy implemented by President Lula. Historically, the Itamaraty (Brazil`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs), has adopted the posture of...