Stone exposes US policy on Americas

Stone exposes US policy on Americas

Famous US film director, Oliver Stone, has criticized the US stance towards South American states, including Venezuela and Bolivia.

In an interview with The Christian Science Monitor, Stone was asked: "US diplomacy and the American media have reacted with general hostility to the empowerment of the poor and indigenous in Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and, to some extent, in Brazil. Why is that?"

"I suppose it comes from the old imperial impulse of the US toward Latin America going back to the Monroe Doctrine, Teddy Roosevelt, the protection of American business interests, and support for military dictators throughout the cold war," he said.

"The US remains hostile to anyone on the left coming to power in their backyard, anyone who thinks the resources of a country belong to its people," Stone added.

He also noted that for the first time in modern history much of South America is beyond US control, with the notable exception of Colombia.