WHesterN Hemisphere
Crisis in Bolivia opens a space for Chavez to polarize the debate. Too bad Canada is asleep…..
Summary:As Bolivia implodes, other countries in the Americas are dragged into the fray. Venezuela jumps first breaking diplomatic relations with the US – who Chavez insists is the culprit. Brazil tries to intervene, but Chile’s Bachelet brings everyone together in her country’s capital, Santiago, for a discussion of how to defuse the crisis. The OAS is involved, the Union of South American Countries is involved, but in Canada, not one word from the government, media, or anyone…. Yes, we are in the middle of an election campaign….but didn’t the Harper government declare the Americas as “the” strategic region after Afghanistan? One can only wonder what he meant by that…
The situation in Bolivia is chaotic and worrisome. Since last week almost 30 people have been reported dead in clashes between government forces and protesters, a state of siege has been declared in two provinces, and tensions continue to escalate between Morales and provincial governments. Natural gas exports to Argentina and Brazil were cut, then reinstated, but are at peril. At issue are the distribution of revenues from natural gas and the encroachment of federal jurisdiction in all manners of the purview of provincial governments. This is extremely important as the provinces in question are the rich natural gas producers. The confusion led to some sharp words between the Bolivian government and the US ambassador, who was accused by Evo Morales of financing and instigating the protests. Both countries recalled their respective ambassadors. Venezuelan Hugo Chavez just added to the tension. In a move of "support" to Morales he recalled his ambassador from the US only to have the US reciprocate the move.
Behind the story between Chavez and the US are two separate events. The US department of justice froze the US bank accounts of three senior Venezuelan government officials, on charges of "transferring funds to terrorist organizations (FARC in Colombia)". And in Miami, at an ongoing trial, Venezuelan operatives are being accused of being foreign government agents. The trial involves attempts to buy the silence of a Venezuelan-American who is being sued in Argentina for illegally transporting undeclared moneys – as he was caught arriving in Buenos Aires on the eve of the last presidential election in a Venezuelan Oil Company (PdVsa) plane with US$800,000.00 cash. Many believe Chavez’ reaction to the US is a move to divert attention from the strong opposition he is facing in the upcoming state level elections in Venezuela.
President Lula from Brazil was about to send two emissaries to La Paz last Friday, but their plane was called back on the tarmac when Bolivia suggested that they were not welcome. Chile’s president Michelle Bachelet stepped up to the plate, and called for a meeting of the South American League (UNASUR), which is taking place today in Santiago, Chile. The intent of the meeting is to support Bolivia, but to find a path for negotiations between Morales and his state governors.
This story has all the twists and turns you would expect from Latin America. Perhaps it wouldn't be so worrisome if Venezuela weren't such an important oil supplier to the US and the region. Even more worrisome is the fact that Russia is conducting military exercises in conjunction with Venezuela during the next two weeks.
If you were listening to Canadian news this weekend, it is doubtful that you would know the seriousness of the situation. The Department of Foreign Affairs did not even issue a note… nothing… Without a minister, without a Prime Minister that is paying attention, it seems that this country’s continuous navel gazing is alive and well… And here I was led to believe that the Americas was a priority! Can you imagine what it would be like if the region was NOT on the government’s radar screen?
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