Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro Relations Revealed Hugo

Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro: Relations Revealed

Hugo Chavez • Born on July 28 th 1954 • Communications officer • Became president of Venezuela in 1999 • Boliviaran Revolution/ World Power mentality

Foreign Affairs

Fidel Castro • Born August 13 th, 1926 • 1965 was the First Secretary of the Communist Party • President of Cuba 1976 -2008

“Venecuba/Cubazuela” • (1999 -2009) • From Caracas to Havana • $19. 4 billion

Quick Snip • http: //www. coha. org/the-not-so-odd-couplevenezuela%E 2%80%99 s-hugo-chavez-andcuba%E 2%80%99 s-fidel-castro/

- Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas. - In December 2001 President Chavez announced his vision. - Aims for integration of Latin American countries with ones in the Caribbean. - One of the most significant programs that Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro have worked together to implement.

A vision from the past. • This idea was conceptualized generations ago, by one of the worlds greatest generals. • Simon Bolivar (1783 -1830) has been referred to as the George Washington of South America. • He is most commonly known for his revolutions against the Spanish empire. • Chavez clarified he aims to follow the political dream of Bolivar. • This vision aims for the creation of a South American Nation. State.

Early days. • In the beginning the only two countries involved in ALBA were Venezuela and Cuba. • Currently, there are eight countries that have signed onto this agreement.

1. 2. 3. 4. Latin America Participants. Venezuela Bolivia Nicaragua Ecuador

Caribbean Participants. 1. Cuba 2. Antigua & Barbuda 3. Dominica 4. St. Vincent & The Granadines

Other Additions. • Recently Chavez has let three countries become ‘observers’ 1. Haiti 2. Iran 3. Syria

Overarching Ideologies. 1. Conflict: ALBA seeks to institutionalize radical conflict. - It essentially forces the member states into socialism. - If they don’t want to abide by Chavez’ proposal, they are forced to fall on the US for support. 2. 21 st Century Socialism: The set of ideologies has been called “participatory and protagonist democracy” - This calls for the elimination of representative democracy in a country. - It favors a strong Caudillo executive. 3. International Revolution: ALBA’s goal is to be seen as a regional infrastructure whom supports radical revolution. - The current global institutional order must be brought to tis knees for the possibility of new world order.

Ortega in ALBA. • January 11 th 2007, President Ortega signed the document that made Nicaragua an active participant in ALBA. • Ortega endorses ALBA to the point that he believes it should be an international model. • Ortega receives approximately $500, 000 per year from Venezuela. • Believes that capitalist powers to implement policies of fair trade and solidarity. • “ life is showing that the capitalism model that arrived at its maximum development and splendor is now in total decline. ”

ALBANISA. • Through Ortega’s cooperation came the birth of this private company. • This is company that financially fuels the various social projects throughout Nicaragua. • Because this company is privately held there is a serious lack of transparency. • There have been many allegations of Ortega’s government embezzling funds and being part other illegitimate activities. • Due to the lack of clarity regarding ALBANISA’s activities, it has been difficult to prove any of the allegations true.

Oil & Economy • Venezuelan oil for Cuban medical expertise • Don’t have to seek foreign aid from Europe or North America • Cuban economy has grown nearly 12% since foreign aid started in early 1990 s • barillo indentro • Castro resells portion of oil

Discusssion Questions • Do you think that the relations Chavez has instituted are immature/naïve in some ways and can in fact harm Venezuela or is he going about things the “right” way? • Do you think Chavez considers Nicaragua so valuable because of what the country brings to the table, or solely because Ortega is an anti US revolutionary? • Why do you think Cuba and Venezuela remain close allies and trading partners?

Sources • • • "Castro, Fidel. " International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. Ed. William Darity, Jr. Vol. 1. 2 nd ed. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2008. 463468. Global Issues In Context. Gale. CIC Penn State University. 2 Oct. 2012 <http: //find. galegroup. com. ezaccess. libraries. psu. edu/gic/start. do? prod. Id=GIC >. Forero, Juan. "Chavez Uses Aid To Win Support In the Americas. " The New York Times (April 4, 2006) Foreign Desk: A 1(L). Global Issues In Context. Gale. CIC Penn State University. 2 Oct. 2012 <http: //find. galegroup. com. ezaccess. libraries. psu. edu/gic/start. do? prod. Id=GIC >. Macbeth, Hampden. "The Not So Odd Couple: Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez and Cuba’s Fidel Castro. " The Not so Odd Couple. Council on Hemispheric Affairs, 21 June 2005. Web. 2 Oct. 2012. <http: //www. coha. org/the-not-so-oddcouple-venezuela%E 2%80%99 s-hugo-chavez-and-cuba%E 2%80%99 s-fidelcastro/>.

Sources Continued http: //www. americasquarterly. org/hirst/article http: //www. radiohc. cu/ing/news/world/8635 -daniel-ortega-defends-alba-overneoliberalism. html http: //www. bolivarmo. com/history. htm http: //www. thecommentator. com/article/626/_the_consolidation_of_alba_consti tutional_representative_democracy_in_decline_in_latin_america http: //www. coha. org/nicaragua-albanisa-the-privatization-of-venezuelan-aid/ http: //www. csmonitor. com/World/Americas/2009/1014/p 06 s 01 -woam. html