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VENEZUELA - Brazil Approves Venezuela’s Entry into Mercosur

* VENEZUELA

Brazil Approves Venezuela’s Entry into Mercosur
After two years, Chavez’s government goes a step further in its attempt to join the regional bloc

The Brazilian Senate plenary approved Venezuela’s entry into Mercosur after two years of debate among parliamentarians due to President Hugo Chávez’s actions. The latest debate over Venezuela’s admission concluded with 35 votes for and 27 against. With this decision, it now rests with the Senate of Paraguay to fully make Venezuela a full member of Mercosur. But Fernando Lugo’s government, a close ally of Caracas, has temporarily withdrawn the legislative agenda’s motion, where the opposition holds the majority. Venezuela joined Mercosur in 2006 and its incorporation was ratified by Argentina and Uruguay. Venezuela’s full membership in Mercosur will make it a bloc with 250 million inhabitants, 76% of South America's GDP, and $300 billion in trade, according to the Brazilian Congress.
Dec-15-2009 06:12pm