U.S. funding of opposition media

organized crimes

Weird Hugo plays “Eat It”

In 2002, a U.S.-backed coup against the government of Venezuela collapsed. The failure of the Bush Administration’s effort to overthrow President Chavez sent a powerful new signal about the limits of the ability of the U.S. to thwart popular democracy in the region. After the failure of the coup, a succession of Presidents were elected across South America promising to reverse the disastrous economic policies promoted by Washington in the region through the IMF for the previous twenty years, and to promote instead the economic interests of the majority. The story of this dramatic transformation has been largely untold in the U.S., in part because the freedom narrative of South America is significantly a story of freedom from U.S.-dominated institutions. But on Friday, Oliver Stone’s documentary South of the Border opens in New York. Because it’s an Oliver Stone movie, because it’s being commercially distributed, many Americans will have the opportunity to see and hear this story.

A trip to Tijuana showcases a once-overlooked section coming to life thanks to the efforts of artists, while Venezuela’s mission at the UN hosts an exhibit.

It’s been a stormy week all over and the headlines have been too. Where does one begin? I suppose it begins and ends with the health care debate as it has for several weeks now. August is always hot and this month has seen some heated discussions taking place at town halls across America. Nevermind they’re being astroturfed by the Republicans who brought you the Brooks Brothers Riots in 2000, we got us a STORY says the MSM. In honor of the steely spined Democrats standing up for real reform with a public option, I present you the great song “No Compromise” by Paul Oakenfold.

The Venezuelan government has just announced that it will provide free drugs to all those suffering from chronic or serious illnesses in Venezuela.

An American living in Venezuela looks at the difference between the Chavez government and the Obama administration in their response to the current economic melt-down.