South American unity falling apart? (1 Viewer)

[ludahai]

The rise of far left governments in Venezuela and Bolivia threatens to tear apart the unity that the majority of governments in the region (who are center left) had been working toward in the past decade.

Bolivia's nationalization of its gas and oil resources threatens to put a pinch on Argentina and Brazil, though likely less on Brazil due to its far-sighted policies on the use of ethanol. Bolivia has agreements with Chile on the use of its territory in the Atacama Desert to get its oil out into Pacific ports. One wonders if that will be in jeopardy in the coming months.

There is a good NY Times article summarizing some of the salient points at issue.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060510/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/south_america_fractured_left

 

[Volker]

The rise of far left governments in Venezuela and Bolivia threatens to tear apart the unity that the majority of governments in the region (who are center left) had been working toward in the past decade.

There is a good chance, the opposite happens. If Peru goes to Ollanta Humala in end of May, then there were new power ratios in South America. What you call far left and what can be called center left have common interests, these include regional cooperation. The time might come to change or drop old OAS.

 

[ludahai]

There is a good chance, the opposite happens. If Peru goes to Ollanta Humala in end of May, then there were new power ratios in South America. What you call far left and what can be called center left have common interests, these include regional cooperation. The time might come to change or drop old OAS.

Possible, but I still give more weight to the importance of Argentina, Brazil and Chile - especially vis a vis Bolivia. Brazil and Argentina are their major energy partners and they need Chile to get their energy resources to their other customers. None of those are radical left. Bolivia COULD build ANOTHER pipeline through Peru I suppose, but that isn't very practical (especially considering the terrain.) There is, of course, the historical grievance with Chile over the Atacama, but Bolivia won't gain anything by pushing on that one either.

Honestly, Bolivia needs to turn down the rhetoric. They are much more dependant on their immediate neighbors than Chavez's Venezuela is.

 

[Volker]

Possible, but I still give more weight to the importance of Argentina, Brazil and Chile - especially vis a vis Bolivia. Brazil and Argentina are their major energy partners and they need Chile to get their energy resources to their other customers.

Gas and oil have been privatized in the ninetees, until then it was nationalized, I guess. They can probably find a solution about the investments done during the years.

There is, of course, the historical grievance with Chile over the Atacama, but Bolivia won't gain anything by pushing on that one either.

Bolivia has still a marine, because you never know

Honestly, Bolivia needs to turn down the rhetoric. They are much more dependant on their immediate neighbors than Chavez's Venezuela is.

Yes, this is the problem with being a landlocked country.