Venezuela joins Mercosur trading bloc

[pampango]

Source: BBC


(L-R) Hugo Chavez with the leaders of the other full Mercosur members; Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, in Brasilia

Venezuela has joined Mercosur, six years after first applying to join the South American trading bloc.

President Hugo Chavez went to Brazil for the ceremony, in his first official trip abroad since being diagnosed with cancer more than a year ago.

"We have waited for this day for many years. This is our path, it is our project, a South American union," said Mr Chavez.

Venezuela's admission to the trading bloc remains controversial also in Venezuela, where local farmers fear an influx of cheap agricultural products from Brazil and Argentina.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-19069591

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Looks like MERCOSUR finally got around Paraguay's blocking of Venezuela's membership in the "EU of South America".

"Its purpose is to promote free trade and the fluid movement of goods, people, and currency."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercosur

[BanTheGOP]

1. EXCELLENT NEWS for the people of South America!!

Now we can look forward to South America to surge ahead of the US in health care, manufacturing, job creation, progressive tax policies that help the overall communities and not the filthy, bastardized republican rich. A HUGE blow to the conservative bastards in the United States! Fantastic news...

[Judi Lynn]

2. The day finally arrived. They waited so long!

President Chavez looks so pleased. He should be, after working so hard toward this goal.

Great photo, great news. Thank you.

[nanabugg]

3. You go, Hugo!!! nt