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Union of South American Nations or UNASUR. By: Jessica, Brandyn , Shannon, and Tristan . Background. May 2008 Cusco Declaration : 12 South American presidents or representatives
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Union of South American Nations or UNASUR By: Jessica, Brandyn, Shannon, and Tristan
Background • May 2008 • Cusco Declaration: • 12 South American presidents or representatives • Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Perú, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela
Background • Model after European Union: • share common currency, parliament and passport • 2019
Background • Political and Economic integration • Tensions amongst members • Revolving presidency and bi-annual meetings of foreign ministers
UNASUR & Bolivia • Traditional elites lost power in 2005 democratic election • President Evo Morales elected • August 19, 2008 • Protests erupt
UNASUR & Bolivia • September 10, 2008 • Anti-democracy protests cause explosions of natural gas pipeline • September 12, 2008 • Pando State of Emergency
UNASUR & Bolivia • Declared allegiance to Morales' government • "For the first time in South America's history, the countries of our region are deciding how to resolve our problems, without the presence of the United States." • President Morales
UNASUR and Chavez's Anti-American views Is Chavez concentrating his Anti-United States rhetoric inside UNASUR
Hugo Chavez and UNASUR • Chavez has stated South American unity through UNASUR is the only way for Latin American independence • Desire to keep U.S influence out in South America • Believes UNASUR solves problems in a democratic and peaceful way, unlike the militarized U.S
Chavez and The South American Defense Council • Chavez aims to show the council creates real non-violent peace unlike NATO • UNASUR protection from barbarism of NATO • Strongly condemned U.S intervention in Libya • Called upon all member states to consolidate their democratic peace to prevent situations like Libya • U.S bombing of Libya comparable to genocide
Chavez, UNASUR, and Julian Assange • On August 20th, 2012, UNASUR officially confirmed their support for Ecuador in their dispute with Britain • Supported Ecuador's right to harbor Assange in their embassy • Opposed the extradition of Assange and threats from Britain to release him • Venezuela accuses Britain of threatening one of their "Brothers" • shows UNASUR members will be free and stand by each other
Chavez, UNASUR, and Human Rights • May 4, 2012, Chavez believes UNASUR members should pull out of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights • Claims U.S has too much influence in it, and uses it as a tool to undermine his socialist regime • Commission has been very critical of human rights in Venezuela recently • Proposes that UNASUR member states create a new regional commissioner on human rights • Excludes the U.S • Prevents the U.S from interfering in domestic affairs
Modern Day UNASUR's Roles • Drug Control Efforts- The Lima Commitment: Security and Confidence-Building -Integral Strategy to Fight Illicit Trafficking: Weapon control and blocking illegal trade routes- The Andean Peace Zone: Development of the South American Peace Zone, Strengthening of international peace, Establishment of a more just and equitable international order
Disaster Prevention Program:Environmental Problems in Latin America • The factors of contribution:- Sub-region’s vulnerability on fragile soil, - Poor quality of dwellings and infrastructure, -Lack of effective risk reduction strategies Rapid demographic growth and the increase in population density in the Andean sub region:- Resulting from urbanization,- Migratory patterns, Stimulation of acid rain and groundwater contamination
BORDER DEVELOPMENT Establishment of clear border integration Zone (BIZ):- Natural and geographic areas that link up the economies and societies of the UNASUR members. Strengthening and consolidation of the subregional and regional integration process:- Improvement of the standard of living of the locals- Further the development of their institutions in the border areas Formalization of the social, economic, cultural, and ethnic processes and relations existing in those zones- More supply of basics and or/social services for common use, - Electrification, road infrastructure, health, education, and sports and tourist recreation services
Discussion Questions • Do you think UNASUR will be able to maintain its distance the policies and directions of the US? • How great of a role do you think Hugo Chavez plays in UNASUR • Is UNASUR the key to strengthening relationships amongst Latin American countries?
Works Cited • http://venezuelanalysis.com/news/6585http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/62957/cfk-meets-with-ch%C3%A1vez-underlines-role-of-unasurhttp://interamericansecuritywatch.com/venezuela-says-latin-america-should-create-human-rights-commission-exclude-united-states/http://en.mercopress.com/2011/03/30/chavez-praises-argentina-s-role-in-unasur-signs-ambitious-trade-accordhttp://venezuelanalysis.com/news/7188 • http://www.comunidadandina.org/ingles/sudamerican.htm • http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7417896.stm • http://www.chomsky.info/articles/200910--.htm