LEFTIST LATIN AMERICA: First Bolivar, Then Castro and Now . . . Chavez and Morales?

Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and Evo Morales in Bolivia. Two democratically-elected Presidents. Two men leading countries rich in oil and natural gas. Also, two men vehemently opposed to what they call the economic imperialism of the United States -- two men who are doing everything they can to lead their continent to the left, away from the gringos to the north.

Born to schoolteachers, Chavez engineered a failed military coup against then President Carlos Andrés Pérez in 1992, was imprisoned and then elected to the Presidency in 1998, re-elected in 2000, survived a coup attempt of his own in 2002 (in which the CIA played a role) and eventually came out on the good side of a recall referendum in 2004. He’s instituted widespread social programs for the uneducated (who voted him into power) and the indigenous who traditionally go unrepresented in many South American governments. In the last two years, he's expanded government spending to turn a hobbling economy into a sprinter poised for a 100-yard dash.

Since taking power, Chavez has changed his country’s name from the Republic of Venezuela to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Over the radio he said, “Bolivar is the symbol of Venezuela forever . . . he is the essence of the national soul.”

Morales, who claims to be the first elected indigenous leader since the colonial era began in the 16th century, has followed in Chavez’s footsteps. Bolivia is the poorest country on the continent, yet it is rich with natural resources. In May he began nationalizing the natural gas industry, a direct rebuff to giant oil conglomerates: Petrobras, Repsol, BP, Total and ExxonMobil. Not exactly insignificant players. And it happened not long after he met with Chavez and Castro.

Bolivar? Castro? Chavez and Morales are riding an oil wave colored socialist red.

But will it soon crest?

A recession of the oil market (though that’s doubtful in the short term) would strangle Chavez’s piggy bank and perhaps deflate his popular support. And as Morales is newly installed in office, he’s yet to prove that his naitonalization plan will benefit the country on the world stage.

Their post-neoliberalist lashing out against the U.S. and turning to socialist policies, is it feasible today? More, is it sustainable?

(Photo of Morales and Chavez together from flickr and Chavez in front of Bolivar from flickr.)

Comments

[Boli-Nica]

Chavez little party might end soon if he doesn't get a handle on things.. He has his neighborhood buddies - some of the same ones who run local human services programs - shooting each other, and then his own Bolibourgeoisie making like bandits,
Chavez is just juggling government rents like previous governments b4 him. The Social democrats pretty much did the same thing in the 70's.

http://bolicarreras.blogspot.com/2006/07/venezuela-chavez-gangster-turf-wars.html
http://www.miami.com/mld/elnuevo/news/world/venezuela/15054146.htm

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