2008 Woodie Awards
Chavez calls for anti-US pact
Paddy Lehane
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: World
Chavez accuses the Colombian government, and subsequently U.S. influence, of marring progress in an attempt to make him look bad. Chavez was essentially fired as a mediator by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe last November.
Many, including Chavez, believe that the current tension between the countries could lead to conflict on a larger scale.
"I accuse the government of Colombia of plotting a conspiracy, acting as a pawn of the North American empire, of plotting a military provocation against Venezuela," Chavez said, as quoted by Reuters.
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega agreed, saying that the tensions between Colombia and Venezuela are perpetuated by the United States to harm the regional progress that Chavez and the members of ALBA are trying to spread.
"This isn't just against Venezuela, it's against the integration process," Ortega said to The Associated Press.
While public opinion about Chavez and his actions is usually polarized, the defensive pact also brought on conflicting views.
"Historically speaking, I think it's a good idea to have an alliance to support each other," said senior Ima Paz, a Latin American studies major. "We've used and abused Latin America for centuries. But it's also fanning the flames, so to speak. They have every right to protect themselves, especially against the U.S., but these actions could be seen as aggressive, especially to the outgoing Bush administration."
While there is no official confirmation of the agreement, the currently volatile climate may be pushing towards that goal.
Many, including Chavez, believe that the current tension between the countries could lead to conflict on a larger scale.
"I accuse the government of Colombia of plotting a conspiracy, acting as a pawn of the North American empire, of plotting a military provocation against Venezuela," Chavez said, as quoted by Reuters.
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega agreed, saying that the tensions between Colombia and Venezuela are perpetuated by the United States to harm the regional progress that Chavez and the members of ALBA are trying to spread.
"This isn't just against Venezuela, it's against the integration process," Ortega said to The Associated Press.
While public opinion about Chavez and his actions is usually polarized, the defensive pact also brought on conflicting views.
"Historically speaking, I think it's a good idea to have an alliance to support each other," said senior Ima Paz, a Latin American studies major. "We've used and abused Latin America for centuries. But it's also fanning the flames, so to speak. They have every right to protect themselves, especially against the U.S., but these actions could be seen as aggressive, especially to the outgoing Bush administration."
While there is no official confirmation of the agreement, the currently volatile climate may be pushing towards that goal.
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