Reply #39: The days of U.S. domination of the OAS are over, so it's probably a good thing

[Peace Patriot]

that the OAS is involved in trying to mediate this dispute. They've done good work on transparent elections in South America (not so good in Mexico--but the Bushite interest in that case was probably overwhelming--and Guatemala was able to elect its first progressive government, ever, just recently).

The times they are a-changin'--no question about it. The OAS political line-up (or you can consult BoRev's hilarious map of Latin America at http://www.borev.net/2008/04/introducing_the_ap_style_guide.html) :

Venezuela - Bolivarian LEFT
Bolivia - Bolivarian LEFT
Ecuador - Bolivarian LEFT (kicking major U.S. air base the fuck out of their country)
Argentina - LEFT (close ally of Bolivarian LEFT)
Nicaragua - LEFT (close ally of Bolivarian LEFT - some U.S. "free trade" vestige from the past)
Uruguay - LEFT (told Bush to stick "free trade" where the sun don't shine)

Brazil - LEFT-CENTER (friendly with Bolivarian LEFT - some corp biofuel compromises)
Chile - LEFT-CENTER (progressive - anti-torture anyway, still pussy-footing around i.e., U.S. power and "free trade")
Paraguay - LEFT-CENTER (just elected the "bishop of the poor" who keeps saying, "I am not Hugo Chavez," but praises Bolivarian social justice goals, just overturned 60 years of corrupt rightwing rule, and opposes U.S. air base in Paraguay)
Guatemala - LEFT-CENTER (first progressive government, ever - opposed to "police state" methods i.e., drugs, crime)
Dominican Republic - LEFT-CENTER (I think - played a good mediating role on recent Colombia/U.S. bombing of Ecuador)

Costa Rica - CENTER (voted for CAFTA, liberals sacrificing labor to "raise all boats" in the region - long time democracy, good economy (up til now), dubious leadership)
Peru - CORRUPT CENTER ("free trade" corruption - shitty leadership)
Panama - CENTER-RIGHT? (not sure what's going on there, but it's a hub for Bush-U.S. military)
Mexico - CENTER-RIGHT (trying to privatize Mexico's oil, stole the last election from the leftists, bashed teachers' union heads in Oaxaca - however, when Bush visited, Calderon lectured him in public on the sovereignty of Latin American countries and mentioned Venezuela as an example - interesting, huh?)

Honduras - RIGHT (short life span for labor leaders, as we just learned; traditional U.S. launching pad for wars on Latin American leftists)
El Salvador - RIGHT (they've stopped murdering their bishops, anyway)

Colombia - FASCIST (labor leaders chainsawed and their body parts thrown into mass graves; leaders are mass murderers and major drug traffickers, and friends with Bush)

Is Cuba a member of the OAS? I dunno, actually. Given this line-up in the OAS (of which the Bush-U.S. is still a member - although Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua has proposed forming a new OAS without the U.S.), how do you think the white separatists of eastern Bolivia would fare, in a vote on splitting up Bolivia so they can take all the natural resources away from the indians? They have only two sure votes (Bush-U.S., Colombia, and a total of six possibles) in their favor, with a dozen solid votes against them, and others possible in reaction to Bush-U.S. interference. (Excepting Bush-U.S., the OAS was unanimous in condemning the Colombian (i.e., Bush-U.S.) murder expedition into Ecuador.) The dozen are committed democrats with a small d, with social justice goals (some more sincere than others). The Bolivarians and their friendly allies are a tight block who have strongly resisted U.S. interference.

The main issue in South America is the coming to power, at long last, of the poor, indigenous and mixed race majority. That is what is occurring with the success of democratic institutions. The white separatists in Bolivia will not find favor with the majority of governments--nor with the majority of Latin America's population. The separatists are bucking an overwhelming, historical, leftist tide. They are like the white South Africans, at the end of apartheid, and the white U.S. southerners at the end of segregation, digging in their heels to protect their property and privilege, and stoking up their egos with racism. It is going to take some "King Solomon" wisdom to mediate this U.S.-backed civil war. (Interesting that Bush-U.S.'s other ally in South America, Colombia, is also wracked with civil war. So is Iraq. It's a Bushite M.O.) I think the OAS is up to the task. I'm glad they are involved at this early stage. I expected them to become involved at some point. This makes me think that the dispute will be settled without bloodshed. I've been very worried about it. It is THE most worrisome spot in South America, as to Bushite destabilization/war plans. I understand that the Catholic bishops have been trying to mediate as well. And the new president of Paraguay (next door to the eastern Bolivian provinces)--a former bishop (the "bishop of the poor")--must certainly be concerned NOT to have break-away, fascist/Bush-U.S. supported provinces and a civil war on his border.