This is why Western Hemisphere countries have accepted Venezuela as a democracy, as have the Organization of American States (OAS) and Mercosur (The South American Common Market).

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Just last week Brazil and its allies in the Southern Cone supported the inclusion of Venezuela in Mercosur, the South American common market, despite Chavez's anti-democratic practices which contradicts the group's clause that conditions membership on the existence of fully democratic institutions.

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He was also instrumental in strengthening alliances with the Bolivarian countries and in raising the status of Venezuela in the region, including its inclusion in the South American common market (MERCOSUR).

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