Chavez congratulates Obama. Says "Change has moved North" !

[bvar22]

"In this day of hope for the American people, President Hugo Chávez, on behalf of the people of Venezuela, congratulates the people of the United States and President-elect Barack Obama for his important victory in an election that has captured the attention of international public opinion.

This historic election of an African American to lead the most powerful country in the world is a sign that the era of change which has taken root in South America could be reaching the doorstep of the United States. From the homeland of Simón Bolívar, we are convinced the time has come to establish new relations between our countries and in our region, based on the principles of respect for sovereignty, equality and true cooperation.

From every corner of the world cries have rung out calling for change in international relations and the construction, as the Liberator Simón Bolívar would have said, of a world of balance, peace and of human coexistence.

The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirms its will and determination to build a constructive bilateral agenda, founded upon the absolute respect of sovereignty, for the well-being of the peoples of Venezuela and the United States.


From a statement issued by the "Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Ministry of People's Power for Foreign Affairs"

http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/1108/Hugo_Chavez_says_change_has_moved_north_.html#comments

In spite of Obama's oppositional rhetoric during the campaign, I am hopeful of a more peaceful and mutually helpful relationship with the emerging Populist Democracies of South and Central America.

The US support for the Right Wing Oligarchy in Colombia must end.

VIVA Democracy!

[ogneopasno]

1. Sorry, can't hear you over the sound of freeper heads exploding.

[flamingdem]

4. Good one!

Kaboom

[Chulanowa]

2. It's my biggest hope

That President Obama (oh HELL that feels good to type, say, or even think!) will take a step back and let other countries govern themselves like the lands run by adults that htey are. An end to American paternalism would be the most wonderful thing we've done for the world.

I'm not setting my hopes too high, though. Even though I'm sure he can walk and chew gum, Obama's going to have his hands more than full mucking out the stable after he takes office. Pair that with the fact that a renunciation of such peternalism might be too radical, and, yeah... But still! It's something I hope for.

I really want to see a day where we approach our neighbors as equals.

[bvar22]

3. I'm with you.

The incredible reforms sweeping across South and Central America give me hope for The World.
It is the BIGGEST story NOT reported in the Corporate Owned US Media.

Even Paraguay (refuge for NAZIS and War Criminals) has VOTED OUT their Right Wing Oligarchs, and replaced them with a Left Leaning Populist government.
This may be bad news for the Bush Clan who have "purchased" a huge block of Paraguay for a "Safe Refuge" once they are thrown out of the US or indicted for War Crimes. A populist government in Paraguay may decide to negotiate an Extradition Treaty with the ICC or the US.

[flamingdem]

5. Yes this is about the world not just the United States

The adults with heart are taking over!

[Omnibus]

10. Agreed. Let the American government stop acting as enforcers

for American business at the expense of Latin American people.

We should be HELPING them to evolve into egalitarian democracies, not holding them back as we've done for over a century.

[leftstreet]

6. K&R Thanks for posting this

DU needs an International Forum

The rise of populism in the "other" Americas is THE story of our time, but the corp media = silent.

[bvar22]

7. Because this is so much bigger than just us.....

:dem:

[Swamp Rat]

8. ponta-pé

[bluesmail]

9. It's an historical moment for the entire planet.

Please President Obama, don't disappoint us. Our expectations are not very high.

[Alamuti Lotus]

11. Is this an unpopular position here?

Per the threads in LBN, many appear to be hoping that the Elect pisses on the goodwill from Chavez.. What the hell?

[Chulanowa]

12. The Democratic Party is a big tent

And we still have Wilsonian xenophobes and "anticomunists" floating around

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

13. We should do business with Chavez

compared to the people the US considers 'allies,' he's a saint

actually, he's not all that bad. Google some of RFK Jr.'s stuff on him