Below is a short extract from Robert Amsterdam's latest article in the Huffington Post, which is a translation of an opinion article published today in the Brazilian newspaper O Estado de São Paulo. Please do us a favor and click here to read the full version.Security analysts from Madrid to New Delhi are perplexed by the relationship between Brazil and Venezuela. They have come to formulate an unfortunate theory: that the country has become a 21st century economic power, but continues to practice a 20th century foreign policy.
The theory is backed up by the facts. Earlier this month the Brazilian Senate confirmed Venezuela's ascension to Mercosur, literally in the same moment in which President Hugo Chávez launched an attack on the country's judiciary, while at the same time bringing the dispute with Colombia perilously close to outright armed conflict.(...)
There is great merit in Brazil's ability to maintain friendly relations with so many different nations of different values. The South-South diplomacy, pioneered by the Lula government, should continue long into the future, and help to redefine a multipolar approach to global affairs. This tactic, however, has its limits. When taken to an extreme, there are high costs.
Brazil is better than that, and deserves much more. Its ambitious view toward the future is not compatible with the tolerance of outright tyranny on her borders. It's decision time: one can't have a foot in the 21st century while maintaining retrograde views.
Brazil has many problem. Many of it's problems are self inflicted. Many of it's problems are exacerbated and encouraged by North Americans and Europeans where they both North Americans and Europeans prosper at Latin American expense with it‘s dysfunction..
In other words keep Latin American disorganized, screwed up and dysfunctional. Pay bribes to Latin American officials‘. Mostly keep Latin American governments disorganized. That way Latin America can be raped of it's resources, and be less of a threat to corporate western status quo.
Go to any American consulate or Embassy. You will find US taxpayer money used as an arm of the American Chamber of Commerce, and Wall Street. But most certainly US tax money not used for the average American walking America’s middle class streets, what left of them.
This is where Brazil and Venezuela have a meeting of minds.