Mexico to relaunch diplomatic ties with Cuba, Venezuela

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Xinhua

Mexico to relaunch diplomatic ties with Cuba, Venezuela
2007-09-05 10:49:06

MEXICO CITY, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's relations with Venezuela and Cuba are regaining pace and the three countries plan to exchange ambassadors soon, Mexico's foreign minister said Tuesday.

"All three governments value the importance of relaunching and formalizing diplomatic relations, something which could happen very soon," Foreign Minister Patricia Espinosa Cantellano said. "We will soon receive Cuba's and Venezuela's ambassadors."

"Mexico's ambassadors will soon travel to these nations, where we will open a new stage of relations with them," she said.

Mexico broke off diplomatic relations with both nations during the 2000 to 2006 government of President Vicente Fox due to contradictory positions on various issues.




Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-09/05/content_6666315.htm

[roxnev]

1. yes Cuba has suffered enough for

D.D.E. stupidity.:evilgrin:

[Peace Patriot]

2. I think this is an indicator of deeply failed Bush Junta Latin American policy.

I was really struck by Calderon's (Mexico's rightwing president's) remarks, when Bush visited in March. In fact, I was astounded to read about Calderon publicly lecturing Bush on Latin American sovereignty--and mentioning Venezuela as an example!

What can have prompted this? Bush also got a lectured on it in Brazil--and various official rejections, and lots of protests, everywhere he went.

Here's what I think happened: During the months before the Venezuelan presidential election in Dec. '06 (which Chavez won with 63% of the vote), there was a plot, hatched among the rightwing paramilitaries in Colombia--but likely inspired and funded by the Bushites--to disrupt and destabilize Venezuela, just after the election, assassinate Chavez and install another rightwing military junta. The plot may have also involved assassination/destabilization for Bolivia and Ecuador (Venezuelan allies in the Bolivarian Revolution). The plot was uncovered by courageous prosecutors, judges and human rights activists in Colombia. Uribe (president of Colombia, and pals with Bush) had to distance himself from the plot, as did the rightwing candidate running against Chavez in Venezuela, who publicly disavowed it. (They were going to use a false poll--no doubt invented by the Bush State Dept. USAID/NED groups, or James Carville, who was down there "advising" the opposition; use RCTV and others to try to sell the idea of a stolen election; foment riots; involve the military, etc.)

But this was not like the good ol' Reagan days, when toppling democratic governments in South America was a CIA sport, and neighbor governments winked at it, or feared for their own necks. "Divide and conquer" was the rule. The Venezuelan peoples' successful turnback of the 2002 coup attempt, long hard work on democratic institutions throughout the region (by the OAS, grass roots civic groups and others), and the Bolivarians' very good ideas and activities (social justice, the Bank of the South, a Latin American "Common Market" and more) have CHANGED EVERYTHING.

There is new civic and cultural pride in South America, and new hope for the future. The Andes region in particular--rich in natural resources (oil, gas, minerals, forests, fresh water)--could make South America a powerhouse as a trade group...IF they can prevent U.S.-based global corporate predators from stealing everything.

Thus, Uribe--whom Chavez has somehow established a friendship with--has seen the "handwriting on the wall," as to U.S. domination of Latin American countries. Uribe is up to his neck in corrupt U.S./Bush "war on drugs" money. But his government now exists surrounded by leftist governments (Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Nicaragua--and soon Paraguay--and not too far off, Peru). The trend in overwhelmingly leftist and democratic. And the notions of Latin American self-determination and social justice are overwhelmingly popular.

The same with Calderon. The leftist (Amlo) came within a hairsbreadth--0.05%--of winning the presidency of Mexico last year. Calderon has the left breathing down his neck. (Also, a leftist will likely win in the very troubled Guatemala this year, right on his border--election on 9/9/07). Lecturing Bush on Latin American sovereignty may have just been a way of gaining political points, but it is telling nevertheless; and in so far as the Bolivarian Revolution has pressured, and, in some ways, already defeated, Bush policy, it gives Calderon new power--new maneuvering ability, new "chips" to play--in dealing with the giant in the north. He may or may not use them for the benefit of most Mexicans. Chances are he won't. For instance, he seems to be maneuvering to get more Mexican control of Bush "war on drugs" money (saying it's a sovereignty issue), and I don't think he will use such money well, at all. (And he may well use it for violent repression.) But this Mexican opening to Cuba--and new attitude toward Venezuela--could well benefit Mexicans, as entre to a Latin American "Common Market," and this would not have been possible without Venezuela's pressure on the Bushites. Mexico was one of the holdouts on Cuba, in deference to the U.S. No more deference!