Thursday, January 11, 2007

The OAS and Venezuela

In my previous post, Ka asked about the potential OAS role in the Venezuela saga. OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza (a well known Chilean politico) criticized Chávez for denying the opposition TV license (again, see previous post) and in return Chávez called him a “pendejo.” In the mainstream U.S. press it was translated as “idiot” but “asshole” is a closer translation. In a rare move, he admitted the statement was “imprudent” though said he did not regret saying it.

Chávez said Insulza had no business poking his nose into Venezuelan affairs. Given that the OAS is committed to promoting democracy, I believe he did. I think the OAS can play a positive role in Venezuela and elsewhere by publicizing/criticizing practices that are clearly undemocratic. The fact that Insulza struck such a nerve demonstrates that the OAS is not simply powerless. I certainly do not want to overstate its importance, but at the very least it can contradict autocratic rhetoric. Plus, you can’t call Insulza a lackey of the U.S., because he was elected in the face of U.S. opposition. The OAS constitutes a uniquely Latin American voice.

2 comments:

Anonymous,  8:53 PM  

I agree it is refreshing to see the OAS try to promote democracy in the Americas. However, what power does the OAS have in to guarantee democracy remains in a country either Venezuela, Bolivia, etc... For example Chavez will be given powers now to pass any law by decree making the National Assembly useless. So while all these changes have come about by "democratic" means it is not a democracy since all power rests in one person. So my question this a democracy or not? If not, than what power does the OAS have to return a state (i.e. Venezuela) to democracy? The OAS didn't do anything about Chile during the 70's and 80's, Peru in the 90's, Nicaragua, etc.. so what can they do in the future?

Greg Weeks 7:10 AM  

As I was alluding to, it has no power to "return" anything. It isn't going to invade, impose sanctions, etc. It can only be a forum, and a high profile critical voice. In the 1990s, it did so with the attempt at an autogolpe in Guatemala and the coup attempt in Paraguay.

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