200 likes | 435 Views
Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro: Relations Revealed. Hugo Chavez. Born on July 28 th 1954 Communications officer Became president of Venezuela in 1999 Boliviaran Revolution/ World Power mentality. Foreign Affairs. Fidel Castro . Born August 13 th , 1926
E N D
Hugo Chavez • Born on July 28th1954 • Communications officer • Became president of Venezuela in 1999 • Boliviaran Revolution/ World Power mentality
Fidel Castro • Born August 13th, 1926 • 1965 was the First Secretary of the Communist Party • President of Cuba 1976-2008
(1999-2009) • From Caracas to Havana • $19.4 billion “Venecuba/Cubazuela”
Quick Snip • http://www.coha.org/the-not-so-odd-couple-venezuela%E2%80%99s-hugo-chavez-and-cuba%E2%80%99s-fidel-castro/
Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas. • In December 2001 President Chavez announced his vision. • Aims for integration of Latin American countries with ones in the Caribbean. • One of the most significant programs that Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro have worked together to implement.
A vision from the past. • This idea was conceptualized generations ago, by one of the worlds greatest generals. • Simon Bolivar (1783-1830) has been referred to as the George Washington of South America. • He is most commonly known for his revolutions against the Spanish empire. • Chavez clarified he aims to follow the political dream of Bolivar. • This vision aims for the creation of a South American Nation-State.
Early days. • In the beginning the only two countries involved in ALBA were Venezuela and Cuba. • Currently, there are eight countries that have signed onto this agreement.
Latin America Participants. • Venezuela • Bolivia • Nicaragua • Ecuador
Caribbean Participants. 1. Cuba 2. Antigua & Barbuda • Dominica • St. Vincent & The Granadines
Other Additions. • Recently Chavez has let three countries become ‘observers’ • Haiti • Iran • Syria
Overarching Ideologies. • Conflict: ALBA seeks to institutionalize radical conflict. • It essentially forces the member states into socialism. • If they don’t want to abide by Chavez’ proposal, they are forced to fall on the US for support. • 21st Century Socialism: The set of ideologies has been called “participatory and protagonist democracy” • This calls for the elimination of representative democracy in a country. • It favors a strong Caudillo executive. • International Revolution: ALBA’s goal is to be seen as a regional infrastructure whom supports radical revolution. - The current global institutional order must be brought to tis knees for the possibility of new world order.
Ortega in ALBA. • January 11th 2007, President Ortega signed the document that made Nicaragua an active participant in ALBA. • Ortega endorses ALBA to the point that he believes it should be an international model. • Ortega receives approximately $500,000,000 per year from Venezuela. • Believes that capitalist powers to implement policies of fair trade and solidarity . • “ life is showing that the capitalism model that arrived at its maximum development and splendor is now in total decline.”
ALBANISA. • Through Ortega’s cooperation came the birth of this private company. • This is company that financially fuels the various social projects throughout Nicaragua. • Because this company is privately held there is a serious lack of transparency. • There have been many allegations of Ortega’s government embezzling funds and being part other illegitimate activities. • Due to the lack of clarity regarding ALBANISA’s activities, it has been difficult to prove any of the allegations true.
Oil & Economy • Venezuelan oil for Cuban medical expertise • Don’t have to seek foreign aid from Europe or North America • Cuban economy has grown nearly 12% since foreign aid started in early 1990s • barilloindentro • Castro resells portion of oil
Discusssion Questions • Do you think that the relations Chavez has instituted are immature/naïve in some ways and can in fact harm Venezuela or is he going about things the “right” way? • Do you think Chavez considers Nicaragua so valuable because of what the country brings to the table, or solely because Ortega is an anti US revolutionary? • Why do you think Cuba and Venezuela remain close allies and trading partners?
Sources • "Castro, Fidel." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. Ed. William Darity, Jr. Vol. 1. 2nd ed. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2008. 463-468. Global Issues In Context. Gale. CIC Penn State University. 2 Oct. 2012 <http://find.galegroup.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/gic/start.do?prodId=GIC>. • Forero, Juan. "Chavez Uses Aid To Win Support In the Americas." The New York Times (April 4, 2006) Foreign Desk: A1(L). Global Issues In Context. Gale. CIC Penn State University. 2 Oct. 2012 <http://find.galegroup.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/gic/start.do?prodId=GIC>. • Macbeth, Hampden. "The Not So Odd Couple: Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez and Cuba’s Fidel Castro." The Not so Odd Couple. Council on Hemispheric Affairs, 21 June 2005. Web. 2 Oct. 2012. <http://www.coha.org/the-not-so-odd-couple-venezuela%E2%80%99s-hugo-chavez-and-cuba%E2%80%99s-fidel-castro/>.
Sources Continued http://www.americasquarterly.org/hirst/article http://www.radiohc.cu/ing/news/world/8635-daniel-ortega-defends-alba-over-neoliberalism.html http://www.bolivarmo.com/history.htm http://www.thecommentator.com/article/626/_the_consolidation_of_alba_constitutional_representative_democracy_in_decline_in_latin_america http://www.coha.org/nicaragua-albanisa-the-privatization-of-venezuelan-aid/ http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Americas/2009/1014/p06s01-woam.html