VENEZUELA: Bolivian President-elect Evo Morales arrives in Venezuela to meet with ally Hugo Chavez.

Record ID: 691213

  • Title: VENEZUELA: Bolivian President-elect Evo Morales arrives in Venezuela to meet with ally Hugo Chavez.
  • Date: 4th January 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BOLIVIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT EVO MORALES, SAYING: "We are in a new age, we are in a new millennium, a millennium for the people and not for the empire. A millennium to resolve social problems, economic problems. This is not only in Bolivia but Fidel in Cuba, Hugo in Venezuela continue the triumphs of social movements of the left-wing political parties in
  • Embargoed: 19th January 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA26DVQFOW7EVYAW4RO2KJ2F1H0
  • Story Text: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Bolivian president-elect Evo Morales met on Tuesday (January 3) to consolidate ties between socialist soulmates united in their opposition to Washington.
    Chavez and Morales, a former coca leaf farmer, have antagonised the U.S. government with their alliances with Cuba and promotion of leftist integration as an alternative to U.S. free-market policies in Latin America.
    Morales, elected by more than 50 percent in a Dec.18 vote, made his short stop in Venezuela as part of a world tour that includes Spain, France, Brazil, China and South Africa. He takes office on Jan. 22.
    The Bolivian leader has rejected charges from foes that he received financing from Chavez, who Washington accuses of destabilising the region by using Venezuela's huge oil wealth to spread his socialist revolution.
    "We are in a new age, we are in a new millennium, a millennium for the people and not for the empire. A millennium to resolve social problems, economic problems. This is not only in Bolivia but Fidel in Cuba, Hugo in Venezuela continue the triumphs of social movements of the left-wing political parties in the national majorities," said Morales.
    Chavez said they would discuss energy and social reforms planned by Morales, who joins the ranks of leftist leaders who have swept to power on the back of regional discontent with U.S.-backed economic policies.
    The two leaders later visited the national pantheon in Caracas and laid a floral tribute at the tomb of Venezuelan Indian hero Guaicaipuro.
    An Aymara, Morales is the first Indian president of South America's poorest country. But he faces a nation deeply divided between a poor Indian majority in the western Altiplano mountains and wealthy elites demanding more independence for rich eastern provinces.
    Morales, who herded llamas as a boy in his poor mountain home, calls his socialist movement a "nightmare" for Washington, criticises U.S. anti-drug policies and promises to nationalize Bolivia's huge gas resources.
    In contrast, Chavez, a former soldier who was elected in 1998 six years after he led a coup attempt, has vowed to bring socialist revolution to the world's No. 5 oil exporter. He has spent billions of dollars on social programs for the poor.
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