:: Latin America
US Proxy Terror War on Venezuela
03.17.2014Introduction: Protest, dissent and the destructive terror of war are obviously very distinct forms of expressing opposition and bringing about change. The Obama-Kerry regime support the opposition in Venezuela as a protest movement composed of peaceful democratic opponents expressing their discontent with economic conditions, while they denounce the democratically-elected Maduro Administration as an authoritarian regime violently repressing legitimate dissent.
The Most Radical Conservative Regime: Bolivia under Evo Morales
12.30.2013Introduction: Significant changes in Latin America have mystified writers, journalists, academics and policy-makers who purport to comment on developments in Latin America. The case of Bolivia and two term President Evo Morales (2006 2014) is illustrative of the utter confusion in political labelling.
Preface to “O Canto da Sereia”
11.20.2013This book O Canto da Sereia is a major contribution to the clarification of several important political and scholarly issues. In the first instance the essays critically analyze the new ideological, political and social instruments utilized by ruling classes to undermine the class struggle.
US- Venezuela Relations: A Case Study of Imperialism and Anti-Imperialism
10.05.2013Introduction: US relations with Venezuela illustrate the specific mechanisms with which an imperial power seeks to sustain client states and overthrow independent nationalist governments.
Mexico: The Political Cost of Privatization of Oil and Electricity
09.08.2013Introduction: The privatization of Mexicos state petroleum and electrical enterprises has profound negative political consequences, both internally and in terms of its foreign policy.
Latin America: Class Struggle and Resistance in the Age of Extractive Capitalism
08.06.2013Introduction: Class struggle is central in framing the issues of political rule, the relations of classes, the economic structures and strategies and the distribution of wealth.
Do Peace Accords Lead to Peace, Justice and Security for the People? (Lessons from El Salvador for the Columbian FARC)
07.23.2013In Memory of Manuel Marulanda, Farabundo Marti and Augusto Sandino
Introduction: It is commonly assumed that peace agreements between pro-US rightwing regimes and leftwing insurgents lead to peace, justice and greater security.
Brazil: Extractive Capitalism and the Great Leap Backward
07.21.2013Introduction: Brazil has witnessed one of the worlds most striking socio-economic reversals in modern history: from a dynamic nationalist industrializing to a primary export economy. Between the mid 1930s to the mid 1980s, Brazil averaged nearly 10% growth in its manufacturing sector largely based on state interventionist policies, subsidizing, protecting and regulating the growth of national public and private enterprises.
Prologue To “Dos Pueblos a los que amar, un Mundo por el que luchar”
06.07.2013In Solidarity with the Internationalists
Washington and the Breakdown of the Colombia-Venezuela-FARC Peace Process
06.06.2013Introduction: Washington has devised a dual strategy toward Latin America. This involves a new set of ambitious imperial initiatives designed to undermine the principal anti-imperialist governments (Venezuela), social movements and armed insurgency (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), while dismantling Latin America-centered integration and regional alliances, such as ALBA, Petro-Caribe, UNASUR and MERCOSUR.
Boston and Venezuela: Terrorism There and Here
05.01.2013Introduction: Two major terrorists attacks took place almost simultaneously: in Boston, two Chechen terrorists set off bombs during the annual Boston Marathon killing three people and injuring 170; in Venezuela, terrorist-supporters of defeated presidential candidate, Henrique Capriles, assassinated 8 and injured 70 supporters of victorious Socialist Party candidate Nicolas Maduro, in the course of firebombing 8 health clinics and several Party offices and homes.
President Chavez: A 21st Century Renaissance Man
03.14.2013Introduction: President Hugo Chavez was unique in multiple areas of political, social and economic life. He made significant contributions to the advancement of humanity. The depth, scope and popularity of his accomplishments mark President Chavez as the Renaissance President of the 21st Century.
Interview: James Petras on The Latin American Economy
The Corbett Report :: 02.27.2013[Podcast] Professor James Petras of Binghamton University joins us to discuss the prospects for the Latin American economy in a global economy that is increasingly dominated by developing markets and emerging powers like China.
Los medios neoliberales criminalizan la lucha de las FARC
rpaSUR :: 02.13.2013Interview with rpaSUR - Video in Spanish
Ecuador: Left-Center Political Regimes versus Radical Social Movements
02.11.2013Introduction: On February 17, 2013, national elections will take place in Ecuador in which incumbent left-center President, Rafael Correa, is likely to win with an absolute majority against opposition candidates covering the political spectrum from Right to Left.
Beyond President Chavez Electoral Victory: Socialism in a Rentier State
10.26.2012Introduction: The successful re-election of President Chavez by a resounding 10% margin winning 20 of the 22 states, with a massive 80% turnout provides his government with a clear and decisive mandate to set the political and economic course of the country over the next six years.
Venezuelan Elections: a Choice and Not an Echo
10.04.2012Introduction: On October 7th, Venezuelan voters will decide whether to support incumbent President Hugo Chavez or opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski. The voters will choose between two polar opposite programs and social systems:
Colombia: Extractive Capital and Peace Negotiations
09.11.2012Introduction: In late August 2012, President Santos announced that the Colombian regime was opening peace negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, (FARC), with the aim of ending nearly 50 years of civil war.
Venezuelas Oil Refinery Blaze: Seven Good Reasons to Suspect Sabotage
08.26.2012Only 43 days before the Venezuelan presidential election and with President Chavez leading by a persistent margin of 20 percentage points, an explosion and fire at the Amuay refinery killed at least 48 people - half of those were members of the National Guard and destroyed oil facilities producing 645,000 barrels of oil per day.
Imperialism and Violence in Colombia
06.04.2012 Invited paper to be presented at the national conference on Multinationals, Violence, Trade Union Freedom and Democracy in Colombia organized by the SINALTRAINAL International Trade Union on its 30th anniversary, July 26, 2012 at Autonomous University of Colombia in Bogota, Colombia.
When the Respectable Become Extremists The Extremists Become Respectable: Colombia and the Mainstream Media
05.20.2012Introduction: By any historical measure, whether it involves international law, human rights conventions, United Nations protocols, socio economic indicators, the policies and practices of the United States and European Union regimes can be characterized as extremist.
Extractive Capitalism and the Divisions in the Latin American Progressive Camp
05.02.2012Introduction: The leading agro-mineral exporting countries, including those engaged with the worlds leading mining and energy multi-national corporations(MNC) are also those characterized as having the most independent and progressive foreign policies. Apparently the primacy of extractive capitalism and commodity-export based economies are no longer correlated with neo-colonial regimes.