Brazil a Nuclear Power? Probably Not
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer
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Brazil's Vice President
Under a 1967 regional agreement known as the Treaty of Tlatelolco, several Latin American countries agreed to abstain from developing nuclear weapons. Since then, 33 countries in the region have ratified the treaty, turning
Alencar cited the case of other emerging regional powers, such as
'A MISTAKE'
Last week, I interviewed Brazil Defense Minister
"No, it was a mistake on the part of the vice president," Jobim said. "There are two reasons why it's prohibited for Brazil to develop nuclear weapons: The Brazilian Constitution bans the use and production of nuclear weapons and international agreements signed by Brazil prohibit it as well."
He added that Brazil will develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, which is allowed under international treaties. That will include construction of a nuclear-fueled submarine that will be faster than conventional submarines, but that will have no nuclear weapons, he said. Asked about Gen.
I asked several academics which Brazilian officials we should believe.
"Brazil's foreign policy project is one of becoming a respected regional power, but not an anti-systemic pariah power," she said. "Developing nuclear weapons would put it alongside 'undesirable' states, such as
VENEZUELA AND IRAN
Others believe that Brazil is getting nervous because of the growing nuclear ties between
While Chávez said that such programs are "only for peaceful purposes," Colombian President
"We are very worried, and I can't refrain from saying so, that nuclear war be brought to our neighborhood," Uribe was quoted as saying by the Agence France-Presse on
My opinion: Brazil is on a roll these days and closer than ever to achieving its goal of becoming a regional superpower. Last week, it obtained a two-year temporary seat on the
In addition, Brazil's economy is scheduled to grow faster, and the country has recently found huge oil reserves, leading Lula to forecast that Brazil will be the world's fifth largest economy in 10 years.
Most likely, Brazil will only develop a nuclear program for peaceful purposes because it will want to remain a good global citizen. But that will largely depend on what
Latin American Economy Will Do Well, but Not Great
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer
The news that Brazil and Mexico have come out of the recession and are poised for solid growth in 2010 should be celebrated, and both countries' leaders should be given credit for their sound economic management. But in the global economic context, the two Latin American giants' recovery will be modest.
Latin America Low on Obama's Priority List
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer
One year after the election of President Barack Obama, it's time to ask whether his ambitious campaign promises about Latin America are being fulfilled, or whether, like others before him, he has placed the region at the bottom of his foreign policy priorities. Let's look at Obama's key campaign promises for Latin America
Time for Common Latin American Visa
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer
While the 27-nation European Union has just approved creation of a common foreign service with embassies throughout the world, Latin American countries cannot even agree on a common visa for tourists from other parts of the world in time for the 2014 soccer World Cup in Brazil.
Royal Spanish Academy Ponders Changes to Spanish Language
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer
One of the pleasant surprises I found during a recent visit to Spain is a new trend by the Royal Spanish Academy to officially modernize the Spanish language and make it much easier to read and write.
Spain Nudging European Union to Ease Cuba Stand
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer
Spain's announcement that it will seek a major improvement in European ties with Cuba's dictatorship once it takes over the presidency of the 27-country European Union on Jan. 1 is bad news not only for pro-democracy activists on the island, but also for oppositionists in several other authoritarian-ruled Latin American countries.
Politics Not Economics Sinking Mexico
Latin American Current Events, News & Affairs - Andres Oppenheimer
Everything that could possibly go wrong seems to be going wrong for Mexico, Latin America's worst performing economy this year. But a new government idea could put this country back on the road to prosperity for decades to come -- if government officials really are serious about it.
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