MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Latam leaders: last Ibero-American day Summit in Chile

Leaders during the Ibero-American Summit in Chile

Chávez and leftist allies in Bolivia and Ecuador have tightened state control over their energy industries and Bolivia, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, recently forced Argentina and Brazil to pay more for its natural gas.

The presidents of Brazil and Paraguay, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Nicanor Duarte Frutos, met yesterday and agreed to build a US$400 million power transmission line from the giant Itaipú power plant at the two countries' border to Paraguayan capital Asunción. Lula de Silva was also expected to meet with Bolivian President Evo Morales to discuss potential new investments in Bolivia's natural gas industry. Chávez drew rebukes from Spanish authorities after he alluded in his speech to the summit forum to a former Spanish president and Spanish businessmen as fascists. Earlier in the day, Chávez set the stage for his customary controversial comments by singing the defiant lyrics of a Mexican ballad after he arrived in Chile. "I am who I am, if they don't like me, that's their problem," Chávez crooned to reporters. On Thursday, anti-Chávez protesters scuffled with Chávez supporters outside Venezuela's Embassy in Santiago and a right-wing lawmaker tried to submit a letter declaring him unwelcome. Chávez was to meet with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe later yesterday to discuss talks he is mediating with Colombian guerrillas to help arrange an exchange of hostages in rebel captivity for guerrillas held in government prisons. Uribe yesterday criticized US Sen. Hillary Clinton's opposition to a free-trade accord between Colombia and the United States, saying it reflects "an unforgivable lack of understanding" of his country. Responding to a reporter's question at the summit, Uribe called the Democratic presidential hopeful's announcement that she will oppose the pact "very serious." He did not say more on the subject. On Thursday, Clinton said she supports a trade deal with Peru already passed by the US House of Representatives, but opposes pacts with South Korea, Panama and Colombia. "I am very concerned about the history of violence against trade unionists in Colombia," she said in a statement. Colombia is the world's most violent nation for union workers, with more than 800 killed in the last six years, according to government figures. Another 26 have been killed so far this year. Uribe, Washington's staunchest ally in Latin America, considers the trade deal his biggest foreign policy achievement. The pact was approved in June by Colombian lawmakers. The White House also wants the accord, but has yet to send it to Congress amid concerns it might not have the votes to secure passage. In June, Uribe honoured former US president Bill Clinton at a New York gala that coincided with a costly lobbying campaign by Colombia to win passage of the trade agreement and ensure the continuation of some US$700 million in annual foreign aid. Sen. Clinton was invited but did not attend. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet opened the gathering on Thursday with a call for renewed efforts to fight poverty. Bachelet called on the 22 participating governments to increase their focus social issues and poverty while much of the region is experiencing economic growth. "This a moment to face the new challenge of our region, the postponed challenge of reaching a social pact," Bachelet said, inaugurating the Ibero-American Summit. Also speaking at the ceremony, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said "social cohesion is essential to face the challenge of climate change." Summit leaders will sign a region-wide social security accord that would allow migrant workers in Latin America, Spain and Portugal the transfer of social security benefits between their nations, a measure that would benefit nearly six million workers, according to Chilean Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley. Foxley also said the participating countries will work over the next year on a series of measures to ensure full respect of the rights of migrants. Presidents attending the summit are expected to condemn terrorism and call for an end to the US embargo against Cuba. The presidents of Mexico and the Dominican Republic were not attending the summit in order to direct recovery efforts after flooding in Mexico's Tabasco state and the destruction wrought by tropical storm Noel. Buenos Aires Herald