Beverley Anderson-Manley
During the Cold War it was not unusual for elements in the population to be frightened at the thought that the Russians could be involved in anything to do with Jamaica. In the 1970s at the height of the Cold War when Michael Manley developed a close relationship with Fidel Castro, there was an even stronger reaction. Now that the Cold War is over, it is a little surprising to see alarm being expressed in certain quarters about Jamaica having a relationship with Hugo Chavez of Venezuela - a leader whose rhetoric is seen by some as stridently anti-American. Equally, President Bush has made it clear that he has no use for President Chavez, stating just last week that: "I view him as a threat (of) undermining democracy".
At the height of the Cold War developing countries with fragile, dependent and vulnerable economies seeking to pursue independent foreign policies, became active members of the Non-Aligned-Movement - maintaining an equidistance between the United States and the former Soviet Union. This was one means of upholding some sense of sovereignty and safeguarding their national interest. For in those days hostility to the United States was sure to draw some type of sanction or punishment.
At 52 years old, Hugo Chavez is aware of this history. He is, however, able to speak his mind to the President of the U.S. because in a world short of oil, Venezuela exports more than one million barrels of oil a day to that country. Through what is termed his 'petro-diplomacy' he has become a friend to many countries in Latin America and across the world - and annoys the Bush Administration by his dealings with regimes from Pyongyang to Tehran. He espouses his 'Bolivarian' model which it is said he is interested in exporting throughout Latin America.
Chavez and Fidel
He is also a strong supporter of Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution, providing them with much-needed economic aid - again to the annoyance of Washington. This aid is now crucial as Cuba's economy begins to expand after the fallout from the collapse of the Soviet Union and the ongoing effects of the embargo.
At a time when Latin America is more democratic than ever, there is increasingly a turn towards populist leaders with several being elected as heads of state. What characterises these leaders is that although they are operating in the context of neo-liberal policies in an often hostile globalised world, they are exerting the right of their nations to pursue foreign policies independent of the U.S.A. On the domestic front, these regimes articulate social polices designed to confront inequality, crime and poverty in their individual countries.
It is in this context that Chavez's petro diplomacy gains its legitimacy. Hence, it was not difficult for the Portia Simpson Miller administration to welcome President Chavez with 'open arms' as she signed a series of agreements under which Venezuela will provide much-needed development assistance to Jamaica. Mrs. Simpson Miller and her Caricom colleagues have gone against the wishes of the U.S.A. in supporting the candidacy of Venezuela over Guatemala (the U.S. choice) for the two-year, non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Some pressure will undoubtedly be exerted against the leaders of the region as relics or hangovers from the Cold War still exist within elements of the present U.S. administration. But Caricom can justify its decision as one of principle and one taken in their interest.
Authoritarian system
Finally, Hugo Chavez is an enigma presiding over what is sometimes termed a post-modern authoritarian system of governance. What we know is that through the benefits of his petro diplomacy, the Latin American and Caribbean region - countries in the U.S.A.'s backyard - are finding one means of meeting the basic needs of their populations.
What will flow from the agreements signed between Chavez and Simpson Miller will benefit Jamaica. Surely, our duty in Jamaica is to ensure that the Venezuelan loans are used to enhance our productive capacity and that mechanisms of transparency and accountability are put in place to ensure the most effective public scrutiny.
Beverley Anderson Manley is a political scientist, corporate coach and gender specialist. Email: BManley@kasnet.com.
