Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has once again lambasted President Bush, calling him a "symbol of domination" and saying "we are a cry of rebellion against that domination." His comments came on Friday as both leaders press ahead with simultaneous tours of Latin America. George W. Bush arrived Thursday in Brazil for a weeklong five-nation regional tour which will also take him to Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico. Chavez met with Argentinean President Nestor Kirchner Friday in Argentina's presidential palace, where both men signed mutual accords to strengthen their economic ties. "Argentina and Venezuela are victims of the same recipe that was prescribed by the IMF and which Mr. Bush wants to bring back to our people,'' Chavez said in an interview with Argentinean television.
Observers say the two ideological rivals are touring the region at the same time in a battle to win the hearts and minds of Latin American countries and to enlist allies for their own visions for the region. Chavez already has many regional allies including the leaders of Bolivia and Ecuador.