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 Business News | November 2005 
Chavez Criticizes Mexico's Trade Stance
 Patricia Rondon Espin - Associated Press
| | In this photo provided by Miraflores Prensa, Mexican President Vicente Fox, left, shakes hands with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, at the 19-nation Group of Rio summit. Chavez accused Mexican leader Vicente Fox of being a "puppy" of President Bush and said: "Don't mess with me, sir." Fox shot back on Monday Nov. 14, 2005 that "we have dignity in this country" and demanded an apology. (AP Photo/Egilda Gomez,Miraflores Prensa) |
Caracas, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is shrugging aside calls to end a war of words, calling Mexico an "ally of the empire" in backing a U.S. proposal for a hemisphere-wide free-trade zone.
Chavez hammered at the government of Mexican President Vicente Fox, whom he had earlier termed "a puppy" of the United States. The spat led both countries to withdraw their ambassadors this week.
Speaking to state television late Tuesday, Chavez said Latin America's history will be different after this month's Summit of the Americas in Argentina. At the meeting, Fox supported the U.S. proposal for a Free Trade Area of the Americas, while Chavez said the plan would only help big U.S. companies at the expense of the poor.
Chavez said Argentine President Nestor Kirchner, who shares concerns about the U.S.-backed free trade pact, will visit Venezuela on Sunday to discuss Venezuela's bid to join the regional trade bloc Mercosur.
"Mexico is also bothered by this situation since they have asked for admittance into Mercosur and still haven't obtained it due to being an ally of the empire," said Chavez, a fierce critic of the U.S. government.
Chavez also questioned Fox's endorsement of the North American Free Trade Agreement, suggesting the pact between Mexico, Canada and the United States has forced more Mexicans to try crossing illegally into the United States.
Fox "says it's going very well for them," Chavez said. "It must be asked then why the number of people emigrating is increasing." He noted U.S. authorities have "put up walls" to try to keep undocumented Mexicans from reaching the United States and that migrants die along the way.
In an apparent response to Chavez's latest volley, Fox said Wednesday that he "defends with cape and sword" his role as a representative of his country.
"I will never accept violations, attacks against Mexicans' dignity," Fox said in brief comments in Mexico, without specifically mentioning Chavez.
Fox's comments came a day after his spokesman, Ruben Aguilar, proclaimed the episode "closed" for Mexico. Aguilar had expressed hope "that in coming weeks and months, relations cool off so that we can re-establish them to their highest level."
Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel on Wednesday called Aguilar's remark "a little bit arrogant" in proclaiming the matter closed, but said "it's worthwhile to have more conversation, dialogue between the foreign ministers."
"It's all up to Mexico," Rangel said. "They took the initiative to attack President Chavez."
The Organization of American States will not get involved in the spat unless both nations ask for mediating help, OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza said in Washington. "We are not going to get involved in bilateral issues," he said.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ali Rodriguez said Uruguayan Foreign Minister Reinaldo Gargano told him the South American trade bloc Mercosur was willing "to contribute to resolving" the dispute, though he didn't give details.
Chavez said he would discuss accelerating Venezuela's full entry into Mercosur when he meets Kirchner. Venezuela is now only an associate member.
Kirchner's visit is likely to be seen as a sign of support for Chavez, who has helped Argentina through financial and oil deals. Venezuela has pledged to buy $1 billion in Argentine debt this year and has nearly reached that goal.
Kirchner will arrive Sunday night and return home Tuesday morning, the Venezuelan government said.
Associated Press writer Will Weissert, in Mexico City, contributed to this report. |
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