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Chavez Gives Obama Book —on Colonial Oppression

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 18, 2009 9:51 AM CDT

(Newser) – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gave President Obama a Spanish-language book today about the historical ravages visited on Latin America by colonial powers, Politico reports. The English title of the 1971 book by Eduardo Galeano is The Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent. The gift came as Obama met with Chavez and other Latin American leaders.

It follows the two leaders' handshake last night, when Obama greeted Chavez in Spanish, the AP notes. "I think it was a good moment," Chavez said about that encounter. "I think President Obama is an intelligent man, compared to the previous US president." Obama remained noncommittal about a formal meeting, saying only, "I think we're making progress at the summit."

President Barack Obama looks at the book.
President Barack Obama looks at the book.   (AP Photo)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez.   (AP Photo)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, right, hands President Barack Obama a book.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, right, hands President Barack Obama a book.   (AP Photo)
President Barack Obama shakes hands with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez yesterday.
President Barack Obama shakes hands with Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez yesterday.   (AP Photo/Mariamma Kambon, Summit of the Americas, Pool)
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez hands President Barack Obama a book today.
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez hands President Barack Obama a book today.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
AdaptAndOvercome
Apr 19, 2009 5:11 AM CDT
Obama is an intellegent man. And for the media to say he's been "punked" is really stupid.
Mad
Apr 19, 2009 1:03 AM CDT
Wow, everytime Bush spoke Spanish, the 'Liberal Media' swooned; Obama does it, and it barely gets mentioned

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