A Black Agenda Radio commentary by executive editor Glen Ford
In an act of continent-wide solidarity, the nations of South America are warning the U.S. not to impose sanctions on Venezuela, a mostly Black and brown country seeking its own path to progress. Shamefully, Florida’s three Black congresspersons show solidarity only to their imperial masters; they are co-sponsors of the sanctions bill.
Black Caucus Members Shame Themselves, as South America Warns U.S. Not to Sanction Venezuela
A Black Agenda Radio commentary by executive editor Glen Ford
“Even Colombia, Washington’s client state in the region, joined in rejecting U.S. sanctions.”
The U.S. House of Representatives began debating, on Wednesday, a bill to impose sanctions on Venezuela for supposed human rights violations. A similar bill has already cleared important hurdles in the Senate, and it is questionable whether the Obama administration could prevent passage in both Houses of Congress, even if wanted to. It’s all part of U.S. blustering and bullying in Latin America, a continent that refuses to be treated as Uncle Sam’s back yard. Foreign ministers from all 12 members of the Union of South American Nations last week spoke with one voice
Unlike the Organization of American States, or OAS, the Union of South American Nations has no role for the United States or Canada, although Mexico and Panama have observer status. The late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez was a prime mover in creating the Union, to allow South Americans to forge their own economic and political ties without interference from the imperial behemoth to the North. Were it not for South American solidarity in the face of constant U.S. threats against Venezuela, the U.S. would be moving even more aggressively to turn the socialist government into a failed state, ripe of plucking.
“These overtly racist elements have staged violent demonstrations since February.”
Ever since the defeat of a U.S.-backed coup in 2002, Washington has financed and trained a right-wing Venezuelan opposition centered in the mostly white upper classes of the country. Unable to win victory at the polls, these overtly racist elements have staged violent demonstrations since February, openly vowing to make the country ungovernable. President Nicolás Maduro’s government has been cautious in containing the outbreaks – more cautious than some of his comrades would like. Maduro has called on President Obama to stop destabilizing his country, to join a commission to discuss “peace and sovereignty” – and to call off those American factions that, Maduro says, are out to assassinate him
However, the Black delegation to the U.S. Congress from Florida is nothing for any Black person to be proud off. All three Black Caucus members from the state – Corrine Brown, Frederica Wilson, and Alcee Hastings – signed on as co-sponsors
If Venezuela’s sovereignty and dignity are to be preserved, it will be through their own efforts and the determination of South Americans to run their own affairs, to act in the spirit of Chavez, and the still-living example of Fidel.
For Black Agenda Radio, I’m Glen Ford. On the web, go to BlackAgendaReport.com.
Likening the suffering of Gazans to that of Rwandan Tutsis perpetuates the narrative that has dominated the African Great Lakes Region for 30 years, allegedly justifying the sacrifice
This Rosh Hashana falls during an ongoing genocide, creating a profound moral crisis for Jewish people. The holiday demands a rejection of the state committing these acts in the name of Jewish safety.
"(Don’t) 'Say his name!'" is the latest from BAR's Poet-in-Residence.
Somalia remains a laboratory for imperialist military attacks and interventions intended to prevent the formation of a stable and secure state.
While China and Russia honor their historic defeat of fascism, the West has revitalized it. The doctrine of exceptionalism serves as a modern justification for genocide and imperial aggression.
