The fact that he is going is a credit to him, because there was a lot of speculation he wouldn't, |
The possibility we'll have another Chavez acolyte in Peru represents a serious challenge to the economic model and a threat to democracy. |
The question is, when it comes time to confront those policy decisions, whether that could create more violence or unrest. |
The Rumsfeld comment is further proof that the administration doesn't have a coherent policy. There are very conflicting signals. |
The two countries are locked in a situation of mutual dependence at an economic level because of oil, while being locked in a massive clash, a lot of rhetoric. |
The way Robertson's declarations will play in Latin America is that Chavez is right and that the U.S. is out to get him. |
There are very sharp ethnic divisions. The indigenous population is a majority, unlike other Latin American countries. There are very deep-seated divisions. It takes a long time to agree. |
There has been a sense that Latin America can take care of itself, but Washington needs to start repairing the tattered relations. |
There is a risk that such an idea will be seen as led by the U.S., or if the U.S. was seen as coordinating or directing it, ... That is problematic and could produce a strong reaction in Central America. |
There is powerful symbolism in what's happening in Costa Rica. Here is a country with enormous affinity with the United States, where there is a tremendous convergence of shared values ... and even they are not convinced that unquestioned support of the United States is in their best interests. |
There's no consensus on how to move forward. |
These conflicting messages reflect a lack of clarity and coherence. When (Venezuelan President Hugo) Chavez speaks, they react. There is no strategy of thinking longer-term and in more strategic terms. |
They felt that if prosecution was allowed, it would be very difficult to build peace and go beyond the conflict. On the other hand, it does support impunity, which is not helpful. |
Those words must have been welcome to anxious business groups, who feared a fiercely confrontational tone. He hit some conciliatory notes. |
To be frank, it doesn't surprise me. Chavez is a case apart; but if you look at the finance ministers -- Chile, Uruguay, Brazil -- all of them would please Milton Friedman with their fiscal discipline and their closing down of debts. And even those on the left stress 'effectiveness' as the model. It shows that the old labels don't have a lot of meaning in the present context. |