The was one of the topics I have been looking forward to discuss. It is incredibly interesting to dig deep on how the process of colonization and independence influence what our latin american societies are today. Even now we can see how the different regions in Latin america have diverse cultures within themselves. The Caribbean islands and south america are very different, this is due to the pre-colonial customs, but mainly because of the history established through colonialism. We know for example in the Caribbean islands there is the largest population of African descendants, where as in the places like Peru, we still have some indigenous population.

It is something admirable, as well as something to question the way in which Simon Bolivar, being a man with privileges was one of the most memorable characters in the process of independence for the whole Latin america. His dream of an united Latin america, a strong region that could fight the oppressor still resonates and is the inspiration for many of the revolutions that took place in the 70s and 80s. Something that really caught my attention were his words implicitly saying how at the end, everyone was a slave in Latin america, I am guessing he made this argument because at the end all the work done, taxes,etc, were to satisfy as he says the “greed of the Spanish crown”, a greed that was insatiable.

On the other hand, another remarkable character was Marti, who combined politics and poetry to express himself, characteristic that has become very common in today’s Latin american writings. He criticizes the imperialism of the United States towards the region, and invites any reader to take action to prevent this from happening. He expresses the way in which “our america” has just suffered enough and that is not up t anyone else to come and try to solve problems or govern us, but it has to be up to us as Latin Americans to fin those solutions and that optimum governance for our communities.

Chavez’s speech was predictable for what I have read and heard about him. However, unlikely, for me it was a very inspiring speech and felt identified with most of his ideals of a free latin american region from any imperialism, as a latin american I can see how some of the critics he does to external governments are true, and as a revolutionary politician he is inviting all of those who agree with this ideas to stop this situation and start moving towards Bolivar’s dream of an unified Latin America.