You speak of a multipolar world. Who should be Venezuela's ally in the 21st century? Europe or China and Russia?
A group has been formed: the BRICS. This is the global core which may bring balance through great changes. It comprises 3 billion people: China, our Brazilian brothers, India, South Africa...It brings great hope to the world, just like Europe once did. The problem is Europe let itself get dominated by the American policies. Europe needs to join the BRICS to form a great global alliance for a new kind of coexistence in order to end interventionism and war.
What would it take for Obama's United States and your country to normalize relations?
Respect. Respect for Latin America. They don't respect us. It's an old grudge. Two doctrines. The Monroe Doctrine used to mean "America for Americans," that is the United States of America. And then there was Simon Bolivar saying "the union of America, former Spanish colony." These are two different doctrines. One is imperialist and the other is preaching liberation. I know for a fact that there is a group of ultra-conservatives and terrorists within the US. Look up Roger Noriega, John Negroponte, Otto Reich...Each of these men are planning the violent destabilization of Venezuela. Sometimes, the US government tries to control them, sometimes it doesn't. The United States are ruled by a financial, media-centered, military-industrial apparatus. Behind Obama's grin, he orders bombings. He just displays a different image than Bush. That's how he expands US global domination.
We just appointed a new chargé d'affaires. We are willing to work on a more positive relation. We will see.
Oil has been Chavez's great tool of leverage in his regional policy, with the social programs. However, your country's production is stagnant. How are you going to open this sector for foreign investments? How are you planning to diversify an oil-dominated economy?
In Venezuela, the oil belt hosts 27 multinational companies from around the world, including French ones. We welcome everyone who hasn't invested in our country yet to do so. We are creating special economic areas to favor investments and technology. We have studied the Chinese experience of the municipality of Pudong in Shanghai. On the other hand, Venezuela has 33 million hectares of arable land available and only use 3 million.
We have all it takes to be a major power in agriculture.
You speak of liberty. When you go to Cuba to talk with Raul and Fidel Castro, which you recently did, do you tackle the subjects of political prisoners and detained journalists?
We are proud of Cuba and we will continue to show our support for this noble and united people. Fidel and Chavez had a special bond, like between father and son. Fidel Castro represents the dignity of the South American continent against empires. He's a living legend, an icon of independence and freedom across the continent.
