UNASUR Archives - Global Americans

Much Ado About Nothing: Accurately Assessing Lula’s Recent International Overtures

In a global economy shaped by inflationary trends, energy shortages, and market instability, Lula’s domestic success will depend to a significant degree on his international achievements. While Bolsonaro obscured the relevance of country in the global arena, Lula expanded Brazil’s presence in the early 2000s by enlarging the list of economic partner and diversifying strategic partnerships, particularly in the global South.

admin June 23, 2023

Brazil and the Illiberal Anti-U.S. Alliance

Lula’s work to create a de facto anti-U.S. illiberal alliance of Latin American leftist regimes and extra-hemispheric U.S. rivals further comes at a time in which those countries geographically closest to the United States—including Mexico, the Northern Triangle, and parts of the Caribbean—are moving away from political and security cooperation with the US, and toward a deepen embrace of the PRC.

admin June 20, 2023

Lula and the Revival of UNASUR and CELAC

For either CELAC or UNASUR to succeed in the longer term, Lula must help move them away from their ideological roots. Given their histories, this is no easy task, but neither is it impossible.

Greg Weeks January 17, 2023

A Requiem for UNASUR

UNASUR’s failure goes beyond political fortunes. The rhetoric of integration fell flat in the face of reticent national bureaucracies unwilling or unable to give up sovereignty and protectionist policies.

admin April 25, 2018

Fourteen (plus four) principled governments in the hemisphere

In the strongest language so far, a joint statement signed by 14 states (and supported by 4-more Caribbean states) condemns Venezuela under the Inter-Democratic Charter. And it asks other member states to follow up if Venezuela doesn’t comply.

Jimena Galindo March 27, 2017

Dialogue in Venezuela: At what point does irrational optimism become complicity?

The breakdown of the Vatican/UNASUR dialogue in Venezuela was totally predictable. Dialogue is still the key to peacefully resolving the crisis in Venezuela, but it must have teeth to punish noncompliance.

Christopher Sabatini December 7, 2016

Venezuela: urge re-activar la Carta Democrática

Frente al fracaso del diálogo entre gobierno y la oposición venezolanos, es imperioso que el sistema interamericano reactive el uso de la Carta Democrática, que quedó en suspenso luego del 23 de junio.

admin September 20, 2016

The new kids on the bloc: UNASUR and CELAC

The net effect of these new bodies has been to create parallel forums more favorable to the interests of autocrats. That may be OK for Venezuela and others, but why are Brazil and other countries going along? And where are the media?

Chris Sabatini & Amy Williams April 15, 2016

UNASUR’s epic fail… again

UNASUR’s statement that it would not question the judicial decisions of its member states over the recent sentencing of Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez was as predictable as it was troubling. It’s a perfect example of how the region has regressed, with little respect for its troubled past and a warning of things to come.

Christopher Sabatini September 17, 2015

UNASUR action on medicines and the right to health

Can southern regional organizations strengthen the bargaining position of less-developed countries and their societies’ needs in health care? By bringing together South American countries, UNASUR is advancing a broader rights agenda in access to medicines and attention to developing country demands.

Pía Riggirozzi July 29, 2015