Despite the controversy which the opening of "ALBA Houses" across Peru has created in congress and among political leaders, they have continued to run and continue to be established in Peru.
Peru's Prime Minster del Castillo has stated that the establishment of ALBA Houses in Peru are ways that Hugo Chavez is attempting to tamper with Peru's government...
Regional governments and authorities allowing the establishment of the ALBA Houses in their regions have explained that ALBA is a social program which is attempting to help Peru's poor. Hundreds of Peruvians have already gone to Venezuela to have free medical attention provided. Many have returned thanking President Hugo Chavez himself. Living in Peru
Not only do such services demonstrate excellent examples of how social programs can be adopted on a regional and continental level, but such move also has its obvious political effects. I've heard of similar occurances in PRD-controled areas of Mexico. While I aknowledge such efforts as being "cheap politics", it can't be as bad as USAID, VOA radio, and other U.S.-funded international aid efforts.
Bolivian President Evo Morales uses sometimes the security services provided by the Venezuelan government for budgetary reasons, AP reported...
According to the newspaper, the US authorities were surprised because the Bolivian president arrived in a Venezuelan plane and escorted by Venezuelan guards...
"It is a question of economic resources. We lack budget to take 10, 12 or 15 security officers and perhaps this is why the president flew onboard a Venezuelan plane. Perhaps it was because of this," Minister of Defense Walker San Miguel told the newspaper. El Universal
Now, while I know that this really looks bad and only feeds Evo critics who rant on about how MAS is secretly funded by Venezuela, I don't think it's necessary for me to point out how many times U.S. military units have been dished out to hold up puppet Presidents throughout the Third World. I think that this is a bit agressive on behalf of Hugo Chavez, and despite the fact that the U.S. does the same on a larger scale (through the presence of military bases and institutions like the ex-School of Americas), I think that it's bad publicity for the Latin American left.
Venezuelan non-governmental organizations warned Friday that President Hugo Chavez's proposal to prevent "political associations" from accepting foreign donations may strangle pro-democracy and human rights groups. AP
Amen. Proceed.
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