Latin America in revolt: Continent defies USA

[bemildred]

For over two decades the US has forced neoliberalism — and its accompanying poverty and despair — down Third World throats in order to make the world better for US business. To many, the spreading US economic empire, backed by the point of a gun and a loan, has seemed unassailable. But now, unable to defeat a rag-tag bunch of Iraqi militias, and rapidly losing allies in Latin America, the empire is not looking so strong.

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January 1, 2005 was a significant date — not for what happened, but for what didn't. On that day, the Free Trade Area of the Americas was supposed to be signed. The FTAA was one of Washington’s pet projects — it was a major step in removing barriers against US corporate plunder in Latin America. But by late 2004, the FTAA negotiations had been suspended, with governments in Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay refusing to negotiate their people’s future away.

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In Bolivia, even if President Carlos Mesa, himself first brought to power in an upsurge of protest, manages to avoid being overthrown before elections are due in 2007, he looks to be defeated by radical Movement for Socialism leader Evo Morales.

In Colombia, the US-backed government has been unable to destroy a left-wing insurgency, despite staggering amounts of military aid from Washington.

Green Left Weekly

[murray hill farm]

1. It is this "movement" in Central and South America..

That most gives me hope for the future of all of the "Americas"....including the USA...though most will not see it as such.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

2. I will have to take a closer look at these events

But perhaps these people are demonstrating something Americans could learn from.

[scarletlib]

3. You go South America

These people, the majorities, have a right to determine their own destiny regardless of what this country thinks or wants.

Too long the US has propped up dictators and wealthy oligarchs that were willing to do what our government wanted even at the expense of their own nation's expense and that of their people.

I say good for them.