Union of South American Nations or UNASUR By: Jessica, Brandyn, Shannon, and Tristan

Background  May 2008  Cusco Declaration: – 12 South American presidents or representatives – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Perú, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela

Background  Model after European Union: – share common currency, parliament and passport – 2019

Background  Political and Economic integration  Tensions amongst members  Revolving presidency and bi- annual meetings of foreign ministers

UNASUR & Bolivia  Traditional elites lost power in 2005 democratic election  President Evo Morales elected  August 19, 2008 – Protests erupt

UNASUR & Bolivia  September 10, 2008 – Anti-democracy protests cause explosions of natural gas pipeline  September 12, 2008 – Pando State of Emergency

UNASUR & Bolivia  Declared allegiance to Morales' government  "For the first time in South America's history, the countries of our region are deciding how to resolve our problems, without the presence of the United States." – President Morales

UNASUR and Chavez's Anti- American views Is Chavez concentrating his Anti-United States rhetoric inside UNASUR

Hugo Chavez and UNASUR  Chavez has stated South American unity through UNASUR is the only way for Latin American independence  Desire to keep U.S influence out in South America  Believes UNASUR solves problems in a democratic and peaceful way, unlike the militarized U.S

Chavez and The South American Defense Council  Chavez aims to show the council creates real non-violent peace unlike NATO  UNASUR protection from barbarism of NATO  Strongly condemned U.S intervention in Libya  Called upon all member states to consolidate their democratic peace to prevent situations like Libya  U.S bombing of Libya comparable to genocide

Chavez, UNASUR, and Julian Assange  On August 20th, 2012, UNASUR officially confirmed their support for Ecuador in their dispute with Britain – Supported Ecuador's right to harbor Assange in their embassy – Opposed the extradition of Assange and threats from Britain to release him  Venezuela accuses Britain of threatening one of their "Brothers" – shows UNASUR members will be free and stand by each other

Chavez, UNASUR, and Human Rights  May 4, 2012, Chavez believes UNASUR members should pull out of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights – Claims U.S has too much influence in it, and uses it as a tool to undermine his socialist regime – Commission has been very critical of human rights in Venezuela recently  Proposes that UNASUR member states create a new regional commissioner on human rights – Excludes the U.S – Prevents the U.S from interfering in domestic affairs

Modern Day UNASUR's Roles  Drug Control Efforts - The Lima Commitment: Security and Confidence- Building -Integral Strategy to Fight Illicit Trafficking: Weapon control and blocking illegal trade routes - The Andean Peace Zone: Development of the South American Peace Zone, Strengthening of international peace, Establishment of a more just and equitable international order

Disaster Prevention Program: Environmental Problems in Latin America  The factors of contribution: - Sub-region’s vulnerability on fragile soil, - Poor quality of dwellings and infrastructure, - Lack of effective risk reduction strategies Rapid demographic growth and the increase in population density in the Andean sub region: - Resulting from urbanization, - Migratory patterns, Stimulation of acid rain and groundwater contamination

BORDER DEVELOPMENT Establishment of clear border integration Zone (BIZ): - Natural and geographic areas that link up the economies and societies of the UNASUR members. Strengthening and consolidation of the subregional and regional integration process: - Improvement of the standard of living of the locals - Further the development of their institutions in the border areas Formalization of the social, economic, cultural, and ethnic processes and relations existing in those zones - More supply of basics and or/social services for common use, - Electrification, road infrastructure, health, education, and sports and tourist recreation services

Discussion Questions  Do you think UNASUR will be able to maintain its distance the policies and directions of the US?  How great of a role do you think Hugo Chavez plays in UNASUR  Is UNASUR the key to strengthening relationships amongst Latin American countries?

Works Cited ch%C3%A1vez-underlines-role-of-unasur america-should-create-human-rights-commission-exclude-united- states/ role-in-unasur-signs-ambitious-trade-accord ch%C3%A1vez-underlines-role-of-unasur america-should-create-human-rights-commission-exclude-united- states/ role-in-unasur-signs-ambitious-trade-accord