Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro: Relations Revealed

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

Foreign Affairs

Fidel Castro Born August 13th, 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-couple-venezuela%E2%80%99s-hugo-chavez-and-cuba%E2%80%99s-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.

Latin America Participants. Venezuela Bolivia Nicaragua Ecuador

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

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

Overarching Ideologies. 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. 21st 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. 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 11th 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 $500,000,000 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 1990s 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. 2nd ed. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2008. 463-468. Global Issues In Context. Gale. CIC Penn State University. 2 Oct. 2012  <http://find.galegroup.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/gic/start.do?prodId=GIC>. Forero, Juan. "Chavez Uses Aid To Win Support In the Americas." The New York Times (April 4, 2006) Foreign Desk: A1(L). Global Issues In Context. Gale. CIC Penn State University. 2 Oct. 2012  <http://find.galegroup.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/gic/start.do?prodId=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-odd-couple-venezuela%E2%80%99s-hugo-chavez-and-cuba%E2%80%99s-fidel-castro/>.

Sources Continued http://www.americasquarterly.org/hirst/article http://www.radiohc.cu/ing/news/world/8635-daniel-ortega-defends-alba-over-neoliberalism.html http://www.bolivarmo.com/history.htm http://www.thecommentator.com/article/626/_the_consolidation_of_alba_constitutional_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/p06s01-woam.html