Chile ! Don't be silly, Chile looks nice if you look in the statistics sidebar at Wikipedia, and ignore the gini number, the reality there is the rich and then nothing in between and then abject poverty...

I agree as a member of western civilization that democracy is the way, but one can not force democracy. A basic understanding of Int'l politics tells you this: Wilson's 14 points, Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations...", the American situation in Iraq even shows us this.

If we want an economically and politically integrated system in the western hemisphere "A general association of nations must be formed under specific covenants for the purpose of affording mutual guarantees of political independence and territorial integrity to great and small states alike". - Wilson

(sorry to sound so idealistic)

It is a shame that USA president has become a polarizing figure and lost all american credibility ! Do you want freedom the way it was offered to Iraq ? I do not thing so !

Chavez keeps stooping to new lows. Over the weekend he called the Roman Catholic hierarchy in Venezuela "mental retards" because they dared to disagree with his constitutional changes. His exceptionally juvenile behavior is beneath that a crude school boy.

Mr. Martinez;
As a Chilean is interesting to see the comments of people like you, who look at Chile as a model.
I remember when Pinochet was in power, some people also looked with admiration to the Chilean Model. As Ms. Bachelet has said, the Chilean system is not a model, because it may or may not be duplicated somewhere else. Also, is important to remember that Chile has the widest gap between those who have and those who have not in Latin America. Mr. Chavez may seem a caricature of what a president should be. However, we cannot forget that if he is in power is because a majority of Venezuelans see him as an answer. May not be the answer we would like, but for many he represents hope. Besides, I agree with Chavez that the U.N. smelled like sulphur after certain person who is guilty of war and crimes against humanity spoke in represenation of freedom and democracy.
I guess what I'm trying to say, that Chavez, Chile, the U.S. and the world in general is more complicated and we shouldn't over simplify.

With copper prices at $3 per pound, Chile enjoys some of the same fortune that Venezuela gets because their heavy crude can sell for over $70. Chile's enlightened socialists would also share some of the same miseries as the talkaholic in Caracas if copper and oil prices fell. But at least Codelco publishes audited statements. PdVSA considers public financial disclosure to be uncessesary for the Bolivarian true believer. The angels managing PdVSA cash would surely never steal, would they? Oh, surely, not even a little gravy.

Mr. Martinez, I applaud your courage in being a moderate voice in a nation where too many moderates are being drowned out.

Chavez's immature display at the Iberoamerican Summit was typical of him, but what continues to astound me is how international media has given plenty of press to the argument between him and the king of Spain, yet pays absolutely no attention to the critical state of Venezuelan democracy. If the referendum to take place in December is passed, it would represent a de facto coup de etat. Civil liberties are already in crisis in Venezuela. The U.S., other countries in Latin America, and the broader international community have a responsibility to stop Chavez's "reforms" in their tracks.

I also agree that certain countries, chief among them Chile, have shown that there can be economic growth with strong social policy. Michele Bachelet has shown enormous leadership by drastically reducing poverty through extensive social programs, yet at the same time maintaining strong economic growth, and incorporating Chile into the global marketplace through free trade agreements.

Mr.Martinez: I share your hope for Latin America.

Perhaps the only good thing about our disastrous MidEast policy is that it keeps the US tied up so that the people of your region can work out their future without our meddling.I hope my nation will learn some humility from our disastrous series of mistakes, including the many unwarranted and illegal actions we've taken in Latin America over the years.

Someday, I hope, we can become true friends good neighbors, based on respect, which we "gringos" need to earn.

Por fortuna, los iberoamericanos estamos empezando a actuar contra Chávez y sus secuaces. Hace dos semanas fue Juan Carlos de Borbón quien mandó a callar a Chávez. Ayer fueron Michelle Bachelet y Alvaro Uribe.

Y en diciembre será el pueblo venezolano, al votar en contra de las reformas constitucionales que Chavez ha impulsado para transformars en emperador vitalicio.

Ojalá el próximo año los latinoamericanos podamos celebrar el fin del chavismo, con todas sus asquerosas secuelas: hambre, violencia, corrupción, y algo que se tornó evidente en las últimas semanas: sus nexos con los narco-terroristas de las FARC.

Mr. Martinez: I think that "chilean way" is only "the civil way"", in front of "militar way" by Chavez

Tudo o que estamos vendo hoje é o resultado de governos que encaravam o Estado como propriedade privada,concentravam riquesas, davam vasão à corrupção, mantinham o nível de pobreza, indigência E ANALFABETISMO DA POPULAÇÃO.

Well put!

From that note that IM wrote, you could reply what Alanis Morrisette said on her song ("Joining you"): "And never talk small and be intuitive. And question mightily and find God my tortured beacon. We need to find like-minded companions"

Martinez's comments remind me of the dilemmas facing Latin America in the nineteenth century, when nations searched for both viable economies and self-sustaining republican systems. Closing themselves to the international economy did not work then, and will not work now. I appreciate his point that the real key is how to foster democratic development and respect for individual liberties.

So be it!

I do really hope so.

I also feel the Chilean model is superior.

Global means confusion.
Chavista people know exactly where they want to get to, but they seem to have a problem: a huge dark cloud blind them.

Help!