Brazzil

Two days ago I was talking to a journalist of a major newspaper from Brazil and he told me that Hugo Chavez is planning to attack Guyana and add that country to Venezuela.
Hugo Chavez claims that Guyana used to be part of Venezuela and now he wants that territory back.

Basically, Hugo Chavez is becoming a non-sense for South America.

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I've been to Venezuela and have lived in Brazil since before Lula came to office. I agree that the "shameful impunity of the wealthy" is arguably the most pressing problem of the country. What this article only glances over is that the country is indeed more cohesive - despite the isolation of some paulistas who just don't understand their hellhole of a city and its politics is vastly different from the rest of Brazil.

What's important here is that Brazil's economy is much more diversified than Venezuela's and has become more so under Lula, there are term limits, and Lula has made good relations with the whole world a priority.

What's often missed is that Lula's main accomplishment so far is the excellent hands he has chosen to lead the economy and the bolsa familia program.

Venezuela, on the other hand, is a militarized society without a floating currency, run by a president for life whose politics is little more than populist paranoia against other countries and the old elite. While it is true if you talk to the locals in spanish, they will tell you Chavez has done things for the poor like never before, the also resent the perpetual crisis. The expats are in shock, whereas in Brazil, for the expats I know Brazilian politics is safely ignored.

Brazil's problems IMHO continue to be the enormous difference in salary between the working poor and even the middle class, egoism in the society and complete disregard for the 'golden rule', and impunity for the elite. Its been that way for 500 years though, and I think things are getting better, but its too much to expect one person in 5 years to change all that.

Recently in the USA the ex-governor of Illinois was sent to jail for corruption and is currently serving time. When something like that happens in Brazil, things really will have changed. When I stop seeing homeless children on the street - something no other country I've been to has - things will really have changed. When an avereage housekeeper can earn 20-30% of my salary, as opposed to 9% of my R$4500 salary in the northeast, things will have changed. I hope so, someday.

Venezuela, on the other hand, is on a path that is bound to run into the ditch. Its simply not sustainable to be president for life as a big mouth with merely an oil based economy that has drastic inflation cycles.

A wonderful article by Sen.Cris Buarque . He is describing the causes for the eroding faith of the Brasilian society in all three powers and the pathetic role of the press (especially the TV networks).

Thank you for writing this simple truth about the state of the nation. I had very big expectations from President Lula, on many issues. I cannot tell you the depth of my disappointment. I understand that results are not always evident in the first instance of a new reform government, however the continuation of the status quo is an unbelievable betrayal of trust on the part of this government.
Perhaps my expectation was too much given that President Lula represents the 'Workers Party'. Perhaps I am misinformed that he was also imprisoned for protesting the inhumane practices of the former governments. Perhaps I was blinded by the light President Lula promised to shed on the dark corners of corruption.
I still firmly believe in the goodness in President Lula, however he has not exhibited the boldness necessary to steer a new path for the Brazilian people. So he too will pass from the scene and the boiling pot that is the underclass from which he came will explode in the "violence of necessity" that has destroyed greater powers and governments on this Earth. In choosing the 'middle ground' Lula has brought Brazil only closer to the flames of self-destruction. The true shame is that those who would profit from this self-destruction continue to promote the carnival of greed, because that is the only carnival relevant to the aristocracy and colonialists.
(For historical references to what is written here please to see what happened with Western Africa and Nigeria, 1982 - 1988. What was done then is being done today in South America. Same game, different faces. The parallel has become the recurring nightmare of those in the Southern Hemisphere. See how the promise of a strong Africa has been reduced to a continent again subject to greed and colonial ambitions. History does not lie, even when the liars distort the words. Truth is the result of what was yesterday and what is today.)

I had very big expectations from President Lula, on many issues.

Contrary to you,Llyod, I didn't have any expectations either the first time he was elected nor the second one. Many of us have been following his political career and I personally think that he WAS an icon among the poor and the middle class that were disappointed with the previous democratically elected governments and voted for him expecting changes. The second time the middle class (at least from the South) did not vote for him for exactly the same reasons that Sen.Cris Buarque stated, but continues to be an Icon among the poor. You must remember the history of Leh Waleska of Poland on whose political trajectory was very similar to that of Lula. Lula´s party does not have a majority in both houses of congress and to govern he has to make deals with other parties which are controlled by the "Coroneis" in the North East. All the parties and the three powers in the country pay lip service to the "poor" without coming out with any solutions for elevating them to the middle class through education and jobs that enhance their self esteem. If you have read Sen.Buarque´s other articles, you would notice that he keeps on stressing on the importance of education.

I still firmly believe in the goodness in President Lula, however he has not exhibited the boldness necessary to steer a new path for the Brazilian people.

He is a personally a likable person and I don't deny it, but unfortunately being surrounded by too many sycophants and seems to be very happy to rule the country under status quo.

I don't think that you hero Chavez is a big saint and indeed Lula has more charisma and diplomacy in dealing with other countries,besides governing a country with more natural resources , educated middle class and good diplomatic corp. Still I am unable to understand why Chavez decided to go on an armed incursion into Guyana. Just to prove his manhood? He reminds me of Gen.Galtieiri, the ex-president of Argentina who took his country into war against Great Britain, just to divert the attention of his people from the internal problems of the country. Chavez also seems to be goading the Brazilians unnecessarily, in spite of his personal friendship with Lula. If he wants to be the "El Comandante" of entire South America, it is not going to be with the votes of the Brazilians.

Many esteemed persons will argue against any correlation between these areas. That is good if they look closely at both areas histories and institutions. However, it cannot be argued that both are products of colonialism and racism. The African experience is necessarily different because although the population could be subjugated economically there was no effort to homogenize the society as was the case in South America. Except in indigenous areas of South America, the people are a mix of many races. Many Brazilians now undergoing genetic testing find that their color is not indicative of their race. Whereas Nigerians were not subject to such a racial intermingling. Not that there was not mixed persons in each society, rather the extent and the results were subjected to 2 different standards.
What cannot be argued is the economic subjugation of both societies by those of European descent and their progeny. Alongside this article you will find that the foreign investment in Brazil has more than doubled in the last year. This is not unusual in a society that will sell its inheritance cheaply. I.e., what you stole can always be sold cheaply because you got it for nothing. Who can argue with that? In either case, the national resources are owned by foreigners who have no obligation to the society.

Perhaps now the point becomes a little more clear, eh? The foreigners will buy cheaply what they cannot steal outright until the bubble bursts as in the case of Venezuela, and then you have the charismatic indigenous leader who leads the majority into revolt and nationalization. If not Chavez, then another who would return what was stolen. Many do not know that Venezuela was the #1 importer of premium Scotch whiskey from the US. These are societal indicators which are dangerously ignored. It was envisioned by some that President Lula could maneuver a course that returned some of the stolen inheritance or at least stopped the wholesale turnover of Brazil to colonial and aristocratic forces. Brazil is now a buyers market and the end of sale days will at some point bring someone the likes of Mr. Chavez or a return of the generals. The only question now is which is preferable to most Brazilians. The social elites will always run to the generals for protection because they have the most to lose. A democratically elected government which follows the mandate of the majority, who are poor or live in abject misery, will by necessity be led by someone like Mr. Chavez.
I have no special regard for Mr. Chavez or Mr. Castro, however I do respect that they have not shirked their duty to their people, their nation, or themselves. They are willing to stand in the line of fire and return what was stolen. Mr. Lula has broadcasts himself as such a person, but the evidence is not there. On the contrary, it appears that he has, in fact, accelerated the process and hastened the day when chaos will overtake Brazil.
So, in conclusion, the merchants of stolen national treasures are the same as they were 600 years ago, both in Africa and South America, Brazil and Nigeria. They will profit from your inheritance, and then they will sell you the guns so that they can profit from the chaos. Breaking this cycle is not easy, but you cannot even begin until you acknowledge the truth.

South America & Africa, Brazil and Nigeria

Your comments are interesting and in a way fascinating to read. It reinforces the view of many people that the aristocratic colonizers from Portugal and Spain came to S.America to plunder and take back the wealth to their home countries. This also explains the fact that many of our leaders have one foot here and another in Europe & U.S.A. When the going gets tough, they go into a self imposed exile,lay low for a few years and come back to plunder again.

On the contrary, it appears that he has, in fact, accelerated the process and hastened the day when chaos will overtake Brazil.

I am afraid that your prophecy might come true! But I think that the process started from the previous President and continues under the current one. As one of our esteemed fellow bloggers said, Brazil needs to focus on herself.To do so, we need good leadership that has both the feet here.Right now I cant think of any important figure to assume that kind of leadership.

BTW, why was Venezuela importing Scotch whiskey from U.S. and directly from Scotland?

Two days ago I was talking to a journalist of a major newspaper from Brazil and he told me that Hugo Chavez is planning to attack Guyana and add that country to Venezuela.

I think that you are not reading the Brazilian newspapers. A few weeks ago, Hugo did send in his troops and choppers into Guyana to probe the defense alertness of that country and blew up a couple of mining dredges. I posted the link to Estadão about this incursion in another thread and subsequently AES posted a link to a news paper in Guyana. Forrest also came out with his comments informing us that the news was not in the world media. I think your friend is absolutely correct.

These little societal indicators, such as the Scotch whiskey and Venezuela, are simply giving a window on the leadership, elites, and priorities of a nation. See the great surge in foreign investment now in Brazil. I would be willing to wager that they have nothing to do with advancing the majority of Brazilians. Of course they are dressed up that way because the economists will tell you that it increases the economy and the tax base which allows the government to do more for the people. Happy days, no?
Well, let's put this to the test! More workers are needed to service the businesses that are newly arrived, housing for these workers must be built or restored, some select education resources are provided and expanded to grow the worker base. These are surely desired effects of the capital inflows. Very good media promotion.
Let's look at the results of such an economic expansion. This process of maximizing profits means the highest return for the smallest investment, no? What business person is going to decrease profits to pay more tax? That is against every business doctrine, why? Because businessmen know that politicians are the worst people to give money to, period! Money to a politician is only used to promote themselves. So giving money to government is bad business. Some business people in Brazil see this and they are truly trying to put some profit back into the communities, because they know that eventually the balance must be restored. They are simply delaying the inevitable collapse of the triangle of money, corruption, and greed. The last, greed, being the worst because if not for greed the society could stand the other two. The only attempt to provide some relief to the society is giving the 'right to vote'. This is what has happened in Venezuela, Bolivia, and other countries. Of course, since the majority are poor, they elected someone to represent them. The pendulum swings the other way as radically as the imbalance in the society. So absolute greed by a few will eventually lead to absolute change by the many. As the business community would certainly understand; simple supply and demand formula. This has been the real drama for the US. They insist on democracy, but when it happens they do not like the result(see Palestinians).
I had thought President Lula was on the path to address the imbalance in Brazil. The US was at one time the #1 exporter of food throughout the world, there was hunger in the US, and there still is hunger in the US. A totally impossible situation to justify on any level. Of what use is government to people who are hungry? The elites say those people will not work for their bread, however those same elites will invest in energy products which will use foodstocks for energy, reducing the food supply and increasing the price of bread. So, Mr. Bush comes to Brazil and they agree to bio-fuels to run the big cars that they love to drive. This makes no sense to hungry children roaming the streets of Rio and Sao Paulo. In fact it makes no sense to anyone struggling to put bread on the table. It does make sense to those who must import energy to keep their economies afloat. Brazil becomes a net exporter of energy, which 'should' enrich all Brazilians. Every Brazilian citizen should benefit, not with words and promises. What can be said for Mr. Chavez is that 'every' Venezuelan has been impacted by his leadership, both rich and poor, intellectual and illiterate, land baron and landless.
What is needed is 'corporate government' that is run like a business. If you start with the rule that every Brazilian is a shareholder in the society, then like a corporation every shareholder must profit from the business. When the profits are consistently low, the shareholders will find new management. when the profits are good, every Brazilian will see the dividend, and I do mean money, not promises. There is nothing like real money to show results. 'Every' Brazilian gets a statement of shares, earnings, investments, and taxes. No citizen is excluded, even the criminals will get their statement in jail(a way of hope and rehabilitation). Not all will give up their lifestyle, but in time they will not recruit another generation of street children, because those children have income to afford bread and school. Perhaps even the aristocrats and elites will give their dividends over to charities, orphanages, and other institutions to benefit the society. This is possible, it is not socialism, it is simply an 'inclusive capitalism'. What you have now is exclusive capitalism which will eventually lead to demands for a socialist state. Is this a 'socialist' program? Some will say yes, but I say it is capitalism without corruption and greed.

South America is doomed for a Bolchevique Revolution by the hands of Chavez, and apparently, Mr Lula and his cronies are all happy about this... Couldn't expect to be any different than that though.

What is needed is 'corporate government' that is run like a business. If you start with the rule that every Brazilian is a shareholder in the society, then like a corporation every shareholder must profit from the business. When the profits are consistently low, the shareholders will find new management. when the profits are good, every Brazilian will see the dividend, and I do mean money, not promises.

Llyod, your comments are fascinating and thanks and I agree with the statement you made. Regardless of what SOME Brasilians say, from the 60´s till the mid 80's, the government was run that way by middle class meritocrats who learn 't to run country to with modern management tools. Of course plenty of mistakes were made, but a strong middle class did help the poor to better their lives.However, the subsequent governments seem to be putting the poor against the middle class who seem to have become the villains. I personally know hundreds of people who were born poor,but used all the incentives given by the Military governments to educate themselves and become big shots in their lives and helped the others to better themselves.

Since the mid 80's, we seem to have lost our "Moral Values" (as our fellow bloggers "A Brazilian","Brazilian Dude", "Mario Silvio", etc; like to say). Greed and Corruption seem to be encouraged by the proper government. What we need is to start demanding from our elected officials more and question their actions.

As for Chavez, I am afraid that he lost his focus. For a military man, he talks a lot and has a fantastic ability to make enemies easily and without any reason.I still repeat that he reminds me too much of Galteiri of Argentina.

South America is doomed for a Bolchevique Revolution by the hands of Chavez, and apparently, Mr Lula and his cronies are all happy about this... Couldn't expect to be any different than that though.

Unless we take a bold action to stop these two!

Anyway, welcome to the blog. You seem to be "Another Brazilian" with his head in the right place and I am sure you will be able to contribute a lot to the discussions.

When was an anti Lula street demonstration all over the country ?????
the last time was in 2005, in Brasilia, with 10'000 demonstrators during the vote buying scandal.
Yessssss....10'000 out of a country with a population of 190 millions.

Whoaaaaaaa ! Is that what is called a bold action in Brazil ?

This said if you have Chavez accepted within the exclusive club of Mercorsur......You will have 2 of opf the few countries in the world with very high inflation and with their currencies having been quite weak....against the already weak US$ !

Chavez is so (un)smart to say that the US$ is worth as much as paper. It happened that no one obliged him to buy such paper. It was him and his geniuses in finance who decided that.
Better yet, if he would be right to call the US$ as paper, how would he name his own currency that lost around 70 % in 4 years.......against what he calls paper.....the US$ ???? Used toilet paper not even good enough for recycling is the answer. So worthless that he even intend to cut 3 zeros, just to imitate what Brazil did 4 times in the last 70 years.

For Christ's sake, what a bunch of baloney about Brazil and Chavez! I am on the ground in Bahia which shoud be the ground zero of any revolution with umemployment at 20% and higher. Lots of poverty, but you know what? Most of th poor find work and have enough money to feed the family and buy at least a bottle of rum for under 3 dollars a week. The shopping malls are packed with tons of people. Check out the booming Iguatemi. Brazilians are capitalists deeply ingrained into society and this is a consumer society. The boom in commodities has improved the trade balances and as proof the Real is up 50% over the last three years against the dollar.

The churches are full of people (sadly the Catholic Church is losing big time to born again fraudulent operations such as the Reino Universal de Deus). The is a construction boom going on. Bolsa familia is working.

On the negative side, public schools are a disgrace, as is the public heath system, and the police tend to be feared as much as the criminals. Never wear gold in Brazil. It could be your death sentence.

One thing is certain, change comes slowly in Brazil, and Brazil as many brazilian historians have stated is an outpost currently functioning of the Roman Empire. Here exists a clear class system. Ruling class, small middle class, and a huge group of emancipated slaves living in absolute poverty.

Brazil Gave Away World's Second Largest Mining Complex. The People Want it Back

This is the exactly what I am trying to express. What chance do the people have to survive if their inheritance is given away. There is no accountability. The people try to get justice from the courts and if this sale is turned back the capitalist will scream to heaven that Brazil is turning to socialism. So unless the theft of the peoples inheritance is acceptable then the opposition to the theft is called socialist and communists. The loudest voices coming from western media controlled by foreign companies. It is the best example of selling cheaply what is not yours.
Chavez is just the result of this kind of behavior. I do support his efforts to return the national resources to the people, even if I do not support his efforts to silence the opposition. He can beat them with the truth, and of course then he must first raise the education level so people can understand how they are being ripped off. If the oligarchy of Venezuela had provided one-tenth of the oil revenue to support the poor they would not be facing the socialism of Chavez. I have no sympathy for them now. They are getting what they deserve. The US was so insistent on democracy in Latin America and now that they have it, it does not suit them. Too bad! Until the balance is restored let them use their money to support the society or move to Miami. If they start programs to help the people, the people will support them. If they move to Miami, they will of course find OTHERS to supply them with guns to overthrow Chavez. It is just too much to ask them to recognize their failure instead of making themselves traitors to the people? I have yet to see one of the opposition to Chavez admit that they failed to provide for the needs of the MAJORITY. Until they do they can go to Miami, and if they return with guns, they can go to hell!

For Christ's sake, what a bunch of baloney about Brazil and Chavez! I am on the ground in Bahia which shoud be the ground zero of any revolution with umemployment at 20% and higher.

The 64 revolution did not start in Bahia.Go and study the Brazilian history.

I apologize it if appears that I am bitter against the middle class who suffer either case. For many is has not been easy to improve their lives. Many were at one time also poor and scratching for bread. Many understand that but for the grace of God they would sacrifice their children to the streets. A terrible choice that they are many times only one pay check from finding themselves again in the streets. So I understand their determination not to slide back. They must support the bosses for the payments and this makes them allies to the elites. However it is shameful for them to look aside at the people who have not been able to improve. Who will help the children of the streets to improve? Empty bellies running the streets are the real danger to the middle class who are the victims and supporters of the drug lords. It is like Michael Jackson's song, "They don't care about us".

Two days ago I was talking to a journalist of a major newspaper from Brazil and he told me that Hugo Chavez is planning to attack Guyana and add that country to Venezuela.

Could you please email to me the details? Thank you for your info.

Normally governments do their stuff discreetly and quietly....however, due to some technical failure....the whole news just broke out without control....I think life is nothing but trouble.

I think they should changed the tune to Senor Martin song, "I don't care .....I just want to be yours" I think that will be the most acceptional tune. At least Senor Martin reveals how someone could possibly cheat in a great relationship process....

One thing is certain, change comes slowly in Brazil, and Brazil as many brazilian historians have stated is an outpost currently functioning of the Roman Empire. Here exists a clear class system. Ruling class, small middle class, and a huge group of emancipated slaves living in absolute poverty.

A very good statement, and if true, this is too bad for Brazil and all of Latin America, because the Empire is preparing a trap for you as you march aimlessly into the future that they have envisioned for you. You may believe this is good for you, but I come back to the situation of the last 25 years in Africa. Would the nations of South America submit to the situation occurring across Africa due to constant conflict? Is this really what you want for your children? South America does not have time to to relax and admire your beauty and pick and choose friends and enemies. You all live in the same neighborhood. If you are constantly arguing with each other you cannot organize yourselves to resist enslaving your people. While you are arming against each other they are planning to rape your people.
So that you can afford to protect against your neighbor, your weapons budgets will increase. Your military must be improved. You must increase your police to protect what is not yours. You will give free trade as your resources leave the country. The cycle starts again!

President Hugo Chavez will be the catalyst for increased weapons purchases to South America. The arms merchants and Western mercenaries could not be happier. You see the US Halliburton and Blackwater private armies are expanding their operations and capabilities. Where do you think their next area of operations is going to be? The Iraq fiasco allowed them to feed on the treasure of the United States and the blood of the Iraqi people. Where do you suppose these people might be used next? How much armaments that's supposed to come back from Iraq will wind up in South America? Ah, it is used and the US needs new armaments anyway. You see...private corporate compact armies are much in demand everywhere. Just another business expense that we take away from the taxes, no? And then you will have, like in the US, corporate prisons, just because your so thrilled with a capitalist approach to crime. Someone should profit from the incarceration of human beings, no? Why not? It cannot be argued that government can do it better. The 'private sector' does it better and since it is a 'growth industry' it then becomes a 'good' investment, eh? Integration of these foreign squadrons with internal state-run 'squads' will complete the security picture. With the Army out on maneuvers or fighting with the neighbors, they can proceed to remove your resources, "tax free". All very profitable, all very legal, and all designed to profit foreign markets. The Western money will come with Western security practices and Western consideration of human rights, civil rights, and equal rights. Some of your people (2-3%) will profit enormously, the meritocracy / autocracy (5%) will profit financially, educationally, and better lifestyle. Productivity will very high with new technologies, and everyone else will share whatever crumbs can be negotiated with the politicians, so workers will be maximized and financially subservient to any working conditions. The rest of your people can catch scraps, or kill each other, or whatever.
It is the "rest of the people" who are the danger. The drug lords and agitators are operating business too! They are in the scrap business that you stupidly created for your enormous mountains of money. Killing or whatever; everyone wants to eat! And when the government or the people gets out of line, they can always turn up the violence, which will scare away your newfound fortunes, and everyone will be staring down the barrel of a gun.
Profits achieved, chaos throughout Latin America, and the cycle repeats. Increased instability, increasing violence, devaluation of your markets and currencies, and the rise of dictatorial governments.

One thing is certain, change comes slowly in Brazil, and Brazil as many brazilian historians have stated is an outpost currently functioning of the Roman Empire. Here exists a clear class system. Ruling class, small middle class, and a huge group of emancipated slaves living in absolute poverty.

"In another generation your country will be a sewer". You know how they scheme to create 'bubbles' in financial and geopolitical areas(see destruction of the Argentine middle-class). They created the Dot-Com bubble, the present Housing Bubble, and other venues for driving up prices for profit. Then when the bubble bursts they have already taken their profits and left you in the sewer. That is not so bad, but then they will demand that the government(people) bail them out with subsidies 'for the good of the nation'. It is like a gun to your head; either you bail us out or we shut the business and throw more people in the sewer.

"Remember that YOU created the population of scrap merchants and scrap eaters. YOU, who could not work it out with your neighbor and must 'defend' yourself. YOU, who must clean up the mess you have made of your own house. So somewhere between the timidity of President Lula and the bellicosity of President Chavez lies a solution for Latin America, but if the solution is dictated by 'others' outside the neighborhood, then you are all really slaves to a scheme beyond your intellect to grasp and beyond your ability to affect." Is any one man capable of resisting the will of the Empire? History is littered with the corpses of those who tried and those who just got in the way. But men of conscience still do try...

It is all I have to say, at this time, for this topic. I have learned some things and I hope I have expressed some ideas to forward the discussion.
Ciao

I am almost vomiting by your texts. Please stop referring to the US as "Empire". Yes, there are many financial interests that doesn't take into consideration the well being of the people, but they act on the US as well. The American people is just another victim.

We need to defend ourselves because Brazil is a country with many natural resources and eventually others might think about taking it from us. We don't need to defend only against Chavez, but against anybody else in this world. What is the point of having a country defenseless? Does it make any sense?

This is too much nonsense.

Here is the post by "Red Cross" in another thread re the Venezuelan incursion into Guyana:

written by Red Cross, 2007-11-17 09:26:45
Thirty-six members of the Venezuelan military led by a general on Thursday morning invaded Guyana's land and airspace, blowing up two Guyanese mining dredges in the Cuyuni River and making overflights in two helicopters. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has since issued a protest about the incursions and summoned Venezuelan Ambassador Dario Morandy at which the Government of Guyana's grave concerns were communicated.

Ambassador Morandy told the media yesterday that he had met Guyana Foreign Minister Rudy Insanally in the morning when the matter was discussed. However, he said that the Venezuelan military had not violated Guyana's borders, and that the area from which the dredges had been evicted belonged to his country. "Venezuela was protecting its natural resources and we need to remove all illegal miners from the area," the Ambassador said. He also said that the military had not used explosives.

Senior army sources have discounted Morandy's statements, noting that the dredges owned by Anthony Ramlall and Dereck Cabose had been anchored in the Cuyuni River at 'Iguana Island', an area which belongs to Guyana.

A team of police and military personnel was expected to fly into the area yesterday afternoon to conduct an investigation. The army source said that soldiers stationed at Eteringbang had been put on high alert and had been carrying out patrols in the area. The source said the GDF base at Eteringbang is some 40 miles from where the dredges were blown up, and about two hours away by boat. The source said that when ranks received news of the incident they responded immediately, but by the time they arrived, the Venezuelan military had already pulled out. "We believe this attack was centrally directed… no one knows the motive," the army source who asked not to be named said.

Under the 1899 Paris Award, which fixed the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela, the whole of the Cuyuni River and part of the Wenamu River belong to Guyana. The median line demarcating the boundary is in the Wenamu River.

Morandy said yesterday that the military in Venezuela had launched an operation called 'Tepuy' on Thursday in the San Juan de Wenamu to San Jose de Anacoco area. He said a number of illegal miners from Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia and Guyana had moved in and in order to protect the basin of the Cuyuni River the Venezuelan military had decided to remove them. "We don't know about any attack; there was no incident, no problem with Venezuela and Guyana," Morandy said, denying not only the GDF's report of explosives being used to destroy the pontoons but also the fly-overs by Venezuelan helicopters. He said Guyana and Venezuela were good border countries and friendly states.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement yesterday said, "A Note Verbale registering Guyana's grave concern about and protesting the incursion into Guyana's territory and air space was submitted to the Venezuelan Embassy in Georgetown." The statement added that the incident occurred at approximately 9.30 am on Thursday when a contingent of 36 Venezuelan armed military personnel, led by a General entered Guyana's territory and proceeded to use military-type explosive devices to destroy the dredges. "It is currently the understanding of the Government of Guyana that at the time of the incident the pontoons were not in operation and that there was therefore no one onboard either of the vessels."

According to the statement, reports received indicated that the incident had been followed by unauthorized over-flights by two Venezuelan helicopters, the first of which took place at approximately 10.45 am and the second at approximately 1 pm. The foreign ministry noted that it had been continuing the engagement with the Venezuelan Ambassador in Georgetown with a view to obtaining greater clarity with respect to the ongoing military operations on the Venezuelan side of the border and to ensure that there was no recurrence of the incidents, which took place on Thursday.

The ministry further stated that Guyana's embassy in Caracas had also been requested to monitor the situation and to continue to seek clarification from the Venezuelan authorities on the incident.

Now that Chavez lost yesterday's referendum regarding the limitless presidential mandates ,thus making him life long President, he may rethink his strategy on Guyana.

"Redcross" also posted an useful link to a newspaper in Guyana:

http://www.stabroeknews.com/in...d=56533340

We observed that not many International newspapers picked up this news. However, one of our major dailies was the one to give this news.

Hope this info is useful to you.

Thank you for your information. Do keep in touch.

I thought the mere basis of the South American economic progression is based upon the concept of capitalism?

From someone seeking to better understand the 'currents of change' in South America, I find your exchange of perspectives regarding the drivers of change in Brazil quite informative. Many thanks..

By not turning out to vote Venezuelans signalled that what Chavez wants is perhaps a bridge too far.
I can't help feeling that obligatory voting should be abolished in Brazil as quickly as possible, if only to prevent the perpetually unethical and criminal politicians from being elected.

agree voting should not be obligatory. Leave voting to those who care and are informed enough about the issues to actually make the effort to go stand in line and vote. I think there might be 3 or 4 Cariocas who would show up at the polls. hahaha

There are some good things happening in Brazil. Scandals are now being exposed, rather than just being swept under the rug. There is a movement toward greater transparency. The country now has its coffers bursting with money due to the sharp upward movement in commodity prices. Some of this money will find its way to health, education, and infrastructure.

My take on the Chavez bashing by the media in Brazil is that they are afraid of a Chavez type person shutting down the media in Brazil, the way Chavez did in Venezuela.

I am no fan of populist leaders like Chavez but I don't get the fear about multiple term presidents. Many British Prime Ministers have stayed in power for more than a decade.

The King of Spain was right to tell Chavez to "Cala boca."

I’m sure most of you heard about the King of Spain, Juan Carlos, telling Hugo Chavez, South America’s Decider, to shut up. Well, one of the team wrote a long-winded, eloquent slam of Mr. Chavez in Spanish, with a Catholic slant as you might hear in Spain. We marvel at how colorful, poetic and elaborate Spanish is if properly/fully translated into English. So here’s the English translation of the high brow Spanish slam of Hugo.

With permission, please would you mind shutting your pig face, you lustful scum of an unknown mother and of many faceless fathers. May the heavenly Host of the Apocalypse descend and dispatch you to the eternal lake of fire and brimstone, you miscreant of intercourse between Satan and a Goat in her moment of much weakness. Thus resulting in the creation of the universal Og of which you, pitiful splatter known as physical matter, bear the name of your father, which signifies nothing!

Now, that my friends, is a damn fine kiss my tush. What a language! I’ve got to improve my Spanish.

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“Brazil's Lula emerges as international leader”
Deutsche Presse-Agentur – Germany
Dec 10, 2007

Buenos Aires - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva began his second term as Brazilian president with little fanfare on the first day of 2007, but the year turned into one of abundant travels and consolidated his status as an international leader.

No foreign heads of state attended Lula's second inauguration ceremony, which was only accompanied by a few thousand supporters on the streets. It was nothing like the crowded celebrations of his first day in power, back in 2003.

But the former trade union leader - Lula is Brazil's first-ever president of working-class origin - has come a long way since.

He hosted US President George W Bush and Pope Benedict XVI, travelled to the United States, Spain, India, Mexico, Venezuela and the G8 Summit in Germany - only some of the places on a long list of destinations around the globe - and again managed to stay on good terms with all sides of the international political spectrum.

Lula's year centred on what came to be called his 'ethanol diplomacy,' and defence of agricultural producers in talks on the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Lula met with Bush twice in March and April for discussions on ethanol. The two leaders, whose countries produce more than 70 per cent of the world's ethanol, reached a deal to boost production and use of the biofuel - at least on paper - and Lula travelled the world to promote it.

In June, he even got Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a verbose critic of both Bush and - until then - ethanol, to change his mind and distinguish ethanol made from sugar cane in Brazil from US ethanol made from less energy-efficient corn.

'It is not the same to talk about ethanol from sugar cane ... as to take corn away from the people and from the food chain to feed cars - a terrible thing that is already generating an impact,' Chavez said after meeting Lula.

Venezuela - the fifth-largest crude oil exporter in the world - even agreed to buy ethanol from Brazil in a conspicuous U-turn.

In general, the response to Lula's ethanol charge around Latin America has been lukewarm, with qualms as to its impact on food prices and the environment, and as to its real significance in an oil-dependent world.

However, the Brazilian president's status as the undisputed regional leader remains unblemished.

The United States remains our main individual partner as regards trade, and it is the main individual investor in Brazil. So we have a historic relationship. We want to maintain it, we want to improve it, without renouncing our major commitment, which is the whole process of strengthening Mercosur,' Lula said after hosting Bush in March.

Lula did not discuss the controversial Chavez's actions with Bush. And despite his friendly meetings with the US president and with European officials, he maintained his firm stance on trade talks.

In July, he reminded developed countries that 'the age of servitude is over.'
In October, at the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) summit in Pretoria, the Brazilian president made his position even clearer.

'We don't want to participate (in global trade) to eat the dessert. We want to eat the main course - duck - and have coffee afterwards if possible,' the Brazilian leader said.

Throughout the year, Lula has stressed that it will take political decisions to advance the stalled trade talks, but without moving to satisfy the demands of developed countries on increasing their access to developing markets.

He also continued to press the international community for reform at key multilateral institutions like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, to increase the representation of developing countries.

Lula remains a popular president at home, relatively aloof from corruption scandals, chaos - and accidents - in Brazilian airports and violence in urban areas, particularly Rio de Janeiro.

Under Brazilian law, he cannot be re-elected for a third term after his current mandate expires in January 2011. Lula himself has declined all talk of constitutional changes that might allow him to run for president again.

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Ricardo Amarel
- However, the Brazilian president's status as the undisputed regional leader remains unblemished. -

As one who has chastised President Lula for timidity in his approach to equal rights, civil rights, and the poor, it is undeniable that his leadership on the world stage has led to new respect for Brazil and the Latin American region.

It is unfortunate that such a leader may not have the time to reform his own government; to leave a legacy of half-measures in strengthening the people of Brazil; all of Brazil. Without such reforms the prospect for others to create mischief inside Brazil may loom as large as when he was elected. Yet, small steps are still important on the path to freedom.

Bravo

Some people wonder why 'Presidents' want a job that pays so little. Here is the answer - in your face!

C o l o m b i a . J o u r n a l . Online
Plan Colombia Benefits U.S. Oil Companies
by Garry Leech
Harken Energy is the latest oil company to benefit from the United States’ escalating involvement in Colombia. On November 4, the Texas-based company announced the signing of a new oil exploration and production contract in Colombia. The company is closely linked to President George W. Bush who served on its board of directors from 1986 until 1990. In addition to providing half a billion dollars a year in Plan Colombia aid during his first term, President Bush has given Colombia almost $100 million in counterterrorism aid and deployed U.S. Army Special Forces troops to protect a major oil pipeline. The escalating U.S. military intervention in Colombia, along with International Monetary Fund (IMF)-imposed economic reforms, has created favorable conditions for foreign companies such as Harken seeking to exploit Colombia’s oil reserves.
U.S. military aid is providing a secure environment in which U.S. oil companies can operate in Colombia. In conjunction with military aid, IMF structural adjustment programs are creating an economic environment favorable to foreign companies. In return for loans in December 1999 and January 2004 totaling almost $5 billion, the IMF demanded that Colombia restructure state-owned entities. Accordingly, President Alvaro Uribe has restructured Colombia’s state oil company Ecopetrol over the past two years, providing favorable investment conditions for foreign oil companies such as Harken.

Here you have undeniable proof of the plot of US/Colombia presidents, IMF, and US military coordinating to STEAL the resources of the Colombian people. Is this not just a variation of Venezuela and Bolivia? Where does it mention the benefits to Colombian people? Ahh, yes, the people get to work and send their 'black gold' to the US! When will this same game stop? Better Chavez than this robbery of the people!

legal

""""When an avereage housekeeper can earn 20-30% of my salary, as opposed to 9% of my R$4500 salary in the northeast, things will have changed. I hope so, someday. """""

Why don't you start TODAY and give your housekeeper 20-30% of your salary, and BTW tell your elitist friends in the NE to start doing the same.
You will then have a trickle down affect, or should I say the trickle up effect for your !embregadas"

Talk is cheap

Bush and his administration will never give up hope to oppress the third world country. It is like history repeated by itself. Just take a look at Cuba and how his administration is punishing THE PEOPLE OF CUBA...to Bush it is a must and he is willing to exploit any soils that will bring in profits.

I am kind of concern about this latest development in Colombia.

- It is like history repeated by itself.-

That is exactly what it is; history repeating itself. That is the game and the rules.It is a formula that has served very well for the Empire.
Colombia is just the staging ground and pawn for the conflicts to come in South America. First the US advises the Colombians not to cooperate in Banco de Sul, now they advise them to join so they can have an hand in its functioning. Who does not see this? First there is a "War on Drugs" in Colombia and now Chavez is the enemy. Who cannot see where this is going? Chavez must be prevented from consolidating a socialist agenda for South America. It cannot be left to the people to decide democratically. Too many socialists of different stripes are being 'democratically elected' in South America. Uribe becomes Pinochet, no?

Brazil is the pivot for the US agenda. Lula tries to walk a fine line between business and diplomacy. He does not use the fact that Brazil has the larger hand in this game. He is timid to the point of cowardice. Perhaps Christina in Argentina will give him some spine. It appears the US is trying to smear her with this 'Venezuelan money scheme' that is just a setup. Notice how the agent carrying the money is free, but the Venezuelans are charged with plotting the crime; if there was a crime. Perhaps the US will indict her to prevent Argentina's cooperating with Venezuela. Heaven knows they cannot afford to have Argentina become another Venezuela and will do and say anything to prevent that. They know that Argentina remembers the betrayal of the Americans in the Malvinas crisis and the collusion with the murderous generals during the dictatorship. Same as Brazil. US always supports the generals, because generals are stupid businessmen and are only concerned with money and power.

I can only say, "Keep the truth in front of you. Learn from history, and not from their words. And be a witness for the truth". I tell my students, "Do not associate with criminals, because their business is crime. Do not trust in the police, because their business is also crime. And try not to go to court, because my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, went to court. He did not receive justice or mercy; he received The Law. So who am I to expect any better?".

To both Ricardo and Lloyd Cata,

I always asked lots of people both on the streets and decision makers about their government policies. Until today I am still confuse about many things. I belief South American needs the voice of someone who truly speaks out about justice. South American diplomats in my country are truly outspoken about violence against women, about the war in Iraq.....etc....etc...... Eventhough we are young but we just want to make ourselves heard.....