Red Scare Revival
Fearful of another Marxist government in its own backyard, the US Congress is considering a $75 million allocation for reconstruction in Nicaragua. Most of the aid appears earmarked for private business in order to strengthen non-Sandinista moderates.
Since the overthrow by the Sandinistas of long-time US ally Anastasio Somoza (accompanied by loud applause from across the water in Cuba) the US has been reconsidering its position in the Caribbean basin. Included in the aid package now before Congress is $5 million for Honduras and Guatemala, $10 and $20 million in military credit-sales and training, and a further $2.4 million for development projects in the area.
But it's not all carrots. The US has also resumed flights by the SR 71 Blackbird Spy-plane over Cuba, increased naval and military manoeuvres, and set up a Combined Armed Services task force for the Caribbean at Key West.
Pro-Cuban and therefore, in US eyes, pro-Moscow nations on its doorstep is not something to warm Washington's heart. But more to the point is the strategic importance of Caribbean oil-refineries which process one barrel out of every six consumed in the US. The environmental restrictions on these small islands are far less stringent than on the Eastern seaboard of the United States itself. And, the warm Gulf waters have unexplored oil and natural gas potential.
The history of US involvement in Central America and the Caribbean - subverting much needed social reforms and helping to install and maintain military dictatorships does not augur well for peasants, trade unionists and others who might have been encouraged by the Sandinista victory in Nicaragua. In countries like Guatemala and El Salvador, where revolution is most likely, years of despotic rule have left the 'moderates' who are favoured by the US with as little popular support as the ruling generals.
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Voices from the margins:
Multimedia: video, podcasts, and more.
- Poetry Slam in Zimbabwe
- The House of Hunger poetry slam held in Zimbabwe in 2006, and organised by the Pamberi Trust, showcased young artists performing inspirational work on issues from corporate power to child soldiers. The video features four of the poets.
Published by Pambazuka News.
- Iranian women speak out
- 3 March 2007, London. Women's rights activists marched through the English capital last week to celebrate International Women's Day with a protest against the misogyny of the Islamic regime in Iran and the threat of invasion by the US. Hear the voices of Iranian feminists Azar and Leila Parnian and the sounds of the demonstration as it passed through the heart of the city. Click here to learn more about the campaign.
Produced by Heidi Bachram.
- Raised Voices audio:
- Benny from West Papua on Corporate Power
- Vinayan from India on agriculture
