George Bush Tries to Assure Latin America

At at joint press conference with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, U.S. President George Bush said "I don't think America gets enough credit for trying to help improve people's lives." He continued with "My trip is to explain as clearly as I can that our nation is generous and compassionate." To the probable relief of millions in Latin America, Mr. Bush did not promise to bring them "democracy."

Mr. Bush, on a excursion to discover that there are more countries to the south of the United States than Mexico, is on a week long trip that will take him to five countries. He is being somewhat shadowed by his South American nemesis and tormentor, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Mr. Chavez was at a rally in Argentina while Bush was next door in Brazil. Chavez is the man who complained at the United Nations that the place "still smelled like sulfur" when he spoke after President Bush.

While speaking in Buenos Aires, Hugo Chavez said "The U.S. President today is a true political cadaver." He continued "What the little gentleman from the north now exudes is the smell of political death."

At the press conference is Sao Paulo, a joint agreement to promote ethanol use throughout the region was announced. It would also set new quality standards for alternative fuel. Brazil currently powers about 8 of every 10 cars on its roads with ethanol made from sugar cane. Ethanol in the United States is made mostly from corn, and there is a tariff on imported ethanol that was a sticking point between the two leaders.

Hugo Chavez, speaking in Buenos Aires, taunted Bush with chants and rhetoric that got the crowd worked up. Chavez has been drawing fire from the Bush Administration for years, but the tension has been ratcheted up in the past weeks as Mr. Chavez moves his country toward socialism. The Venezuelan populist has nationalized many key industries. This winter he again offered cheap heating oil for poor Americans. Mr. Chavez is leading a movement throughout the region that has several countries tilting left. Mr. Bush will meet with the newly elected leftist President of Uruguay, Tabare Vasquez, on Saturday.