Latin-American arm race has to be stopped now

[dArKeR]

In recent weeks, many observers of the Latin American military situation have detected what could be the beginning of a new arms race in the region. Brazilian President Luis Inacio "Lula" da Silva was photographed boarding the Tikuna, his country's first conventional, domestically built submarine. He used the opportunity to highlight his support for the Brazilian military.

Similarly, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has broadcast his intention to purchase Russian MiG fighter jets and Brazilian low-flying surveillance aircraft, and to expand military expenditures. He is doing so, perhaps, because of recent problems with Colombia. Even Chile, after a lengthy process of weighing its options, is still pondering whether to acquire a dozen American-built jet fighters or a joint Swedish-Brazilian alternative.

Is there a new arms race underway in Latin America? If so, is there any conceivable way it could help address the hemisphere's economic and social dilemmas?

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2005/03/27/2003247971


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Urge to drop democracy grows in Latin America
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2004/06/28/2003176910


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http://home.iprimus.com.au/korob/fdtcards/CentralAmerica.html
http://home.iprimus.com.au/korob/fdtcards/SouthAmerica.html

[lenidog]

1. This is nothing new

in the early nineteen hundreds and teens they where running around buying battleships to impress and intimidate each other. Now its subs and jets they will buy, the equpment will sit around for a while and not get used and 10 to 15 years down the raod they will buy again because its unusable or their is something cooler out there.

[Selatius]

2. Chavez has good reason to arm up Venezuela though

He's angered too many powerful corporate elements. They won't rest until he and his people are crushed.

[ixion]

3. stopping the arms races starts with the US

since we're one of the biggest arms dealers in the world. :grr:

Ironic, isn't it? Stop the arms race in Latin America, and crank it up here if Fortress USA. :-(