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Caribbean-Latin America
Venezuela to back Syria, Iran against US
2007-01-22
CARACAS, Jan 21: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez vowed on Sunday that his government would always back US foes Syria and Iran in the face of threats from Washington.

The United States “is an empire of madmen,” Chavez, who has accused Washington of wanting to topple him, said in his weekly radio television show “Hello President.” ”They threaten Syria. We will always be with Syria and Iran,” he told Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal, who was a guest in the broadcast.

“They want to remove our brother (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad.” Chavez visited Syria and Iran last year and expects a visit from Assad sometime this year. He met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Caracas a week ago.
Posted by:anonymous5089

#4  Problem is that the Latin American publics have never been particular fans of capitalism, and have embraced various forms of socialism quite eagerly over the 100 years or so; that has included at least 2 distinct flavors of National Socialism.
Also, one big problem in the Latin American countries is that the money tends to be concentrated in the hands of a few major families, i.e., the 40 families in Mexico - so any surge in capitalism generally serves to enrich those families exclusively, due to the endemic corruption present in those societies.
And there is the problem of tribalism and the usually huge number of unassimilated Indians, who view any Western language, education, or skills with great suspicion; plus the fact that most of the educated and well-trained are European in origin, or mestizos, and you have a huge racial component for the socialists/communists to exploit.
Posted by: Shieldwolf   2007-01-22 18:22  

#3  The CIA should be putting Cuban and Iranian exiles onto Radio Free latin America to explain the subtle facts about the Cuban revolution and living in a theocracy. I think if the bulk of the Venezualens knew who they were siding with, rather than simply againt the Yankees they'd have a change of heart.

The US should be pushing for some nation in Latin America to provide a decent example of leadership and sane fiscal policies. A nation that is not closely tied to the USA.
Posted by: rjschwarz   2007-01-22 12:03  

#2  "Here. Put this on."

"What's this?"

"Your 'Solidarity with Loony Dictators' t-shirt. A gift from President what's-his-name."

"Ok... So why does it have a target on the back?"
Posted by: mojo   2007-01-22 11:54  

#1  Careful Saruman, the Dark Lord will never share in his dominion over Middle Earth.
Posted by: Excalibur   2007-01-22 10:13  

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