Chavez was flanked by antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan and former footballer Diego Maradona. Maradona added to Chavez's stinging repudiation of free trade by calling Bush, "human rubbish." (This was only reported in one outlet, the Australian based News.com) Like many Argentines, Maradona believes that the US policies precipitated Argentina’s economic meltdown that left 40% of the population living in poverty.
Most of the articles failed to report this crucial fact which contextualizes the negative sentiment that many in the south feel for America. It has nothing to do with the "fiery oratory" of Chavez, but a clear grasp of the devastating effects of US free trade policies.
The majority of Latin Americans are now opposed to the creation of a free trade region in the Americas. They are also against the repayment of the foreign debt and the growing threat of US militarization. They are increasingly frustrated with the increasing disparity of wealth between rich and poor as well as with rising unemployment.
Again, none of these factors has anything to do with Chavez who is mistakenly held responsible for inciting hatred of America.
Chavez has, however, been a unifying figure who has shared his oil wealth with other countries in the region and created an alternate economic model, Mercosur, which challenges the US's dominance in the hemisphere. It was a stunning blow to the Bush team when free trade loyalist Vicente Fox announced at the summit that Mexico would be joining Mercosur.
Chavez's comments only added insult to injury:
"The planet is being destroyed under our own noses by the capitalist model, the destructive engine of development. Every day there is more hunger, more misery, thanks to the neo-liberal, capitalist model."
