New Leftists Emerge in Latin America

[struggle4progress]

Saturday March 5, 2005 10:16 PM
By KEVIN GRAY
Associated Press Writer

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) - Decades ago, Latin American leftists talked of revolution and upending political systems. Today, many with ties to the revolutionary past have taken office - pledging to help the poor, but leaving aside the rhetoric of the past. <snip>

From Venezuela to Brazil and Argentina, a new leftist tide has given rise to leaders sympathetic to the movement's struggles of the 1970s and 80s, but with significant changes in tone and politics. <snip>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4843918,00.html

[Jack Rabbit]

1. Jonathan Beale (BBC, 3/4): US unconcerned by left-wing leaders

From the BBC Online
Dated Friday March 4

US unconcerned by left-wing leaders
By Jonathan Beale
BBC News, Washington

There was a time when the United States foreign policy was largely driven by events in its own "backyard" of Latin America.

Not so long ago from Presidents Kennedy to Reagan, the US did everything in its power to stop the spread of communism from Cuba to the mainland.

Hence the US tolerance for various dictators and undemocratic regimes and damaging policies such as illegally aiding Nicaragua's contras by selling arms to Iran.

These days the Bush neo-cons - as opposed to those of the Reagan era - are more concerned about the Arab world, the Middle East, China and North Korea.

Read more.

[struggle4progress]

2. I'm inclined to view that BBC story as happy vacuous noises.

Much of the so-called "cold war" involved US covert or military action against third-world nationalist movements, forcing those movements to seek other alliances if they wished to survive.

The struggle for resource hegemony remains undiminished in the post-Soviet era, and the idea, that ruling elites regard "positive examples" as threats requiring immediate action, seems to remain a useful analytical tool.

The US coup attempt against Venezuela and the invasion of Iraq both seem to qualify as moves to consolidate resource hegemony, while the US-sponsored overthrow of Aristide appears to be an example of an attack against a potential "positive example."

I expect you probably noticed the Jebbite interference in Nicaragua's elections in recent years, as well as a spate in the last few weeks of anti-Sandinista articles by the usual lock-stepping rightwing shills.

Following the "sexed-up dossier" purges at the BBC, we have seen an increase in shameless echoing of George-the-Amazing's stage patter by the broadcaster, so I'm inclined to view this piece as simply another parroted "Nothing up my sleeve," to be followed soon by some covert "Presto!"

<edit: grammar>

[dArKeR]

3. Latin American leftists more `mature' in office

Decades ago, Latin American leftists talked of revolution and upending political systems. Today, many with ties to the revolutionary past have taken office -- pledging to help the poor, but leaving aside the rhetoric of the past.

Last week, thousands of jubilant Uruguayans filled the streets for the inauguration of new president Tabare Vazquez, the sixth leftist to come to power in the region, strengthening South America's tilt to the left.

From Venezuela to Brazil and Argentina, a new leftist tide has given rise to leaders sympathetic to the movement's struggles of the 1970s and 80s, but with significant changes in tone and politics.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/03/07/2003225848

[bemildred]

4. "When you have to kill a man it costs nothing to be polite."

-Winston Churchill

No doubt Latin America had finally developed leaders of the
same stature and maturity as Churchill.