The United States Needs a New Latin American Foreign Policy Influenced by American Hispanic Business
This week a fleet of Russian ships including their most powerful ship which can carry 20 nuclear armed cruise missiles will be docking in Venezuela and then carrying out joint exercises with Venezuelan forces in the Caribbean. It is common knowledge that Russia is seeking permanent naval and air bases in Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela which could support nuclear weapon deployment.
At this point the historical policies of the United States towards Latin America, the Monroe Doctrine and the Good Neighbor Policy, both seem to have been forgotten. Although Latin America has been a great buyer of American exports, the attitude of the average American toward Latin America is that all it does is supply drugs and unfair cheap labor to the United States. Liberals want to stop trade with Latin America because it undercuts American jobs and supports governments that commit human rights violations while Conservatives want to cut off immigration, avoid contact with Latin America’s socialist regimes, and limit our interactions with them to punitive drug enforcement measures.
The American thirst for illicit drugs which is the primary source of revenue for the criminal cartels of Latin America has allowed the development of syndicates arguably stronger and a greater danger to our national security than many of the weakened Middle Eastern terrorist organizations.The same problems that plague our attempts at controlling terrorism in the Middle East are hampering our efforts in Latin America. Cries of human rights violations are coming from Mexico and Columbia as their governments try to squash defiant drug kingpins.
Even on the economic front while the United States has been cooling in its attitude to being a trading partner with Latin America, the quickly growing Asian countries have been quick to fill the void. South Korea and China are increasing buying metals and other raw materials from Chile, Mexico and other Latin American countries. The South Texas border community called the Rio Grande Valley has seen an influx of Asian immigrants who are helping their Asian companies grow in the “maquiladora” factories. China and Mexico recently announced a massive joint venture to build low cost cars in Mexico. Anti-American sentiment fueled by the perception of Mexicans of how they are seen by Americans, no doubt, played a role in the recent decision to seek help from the Australian petroleum industry instead of American companies for the troubled nationally owned oil company, Pemex.
Already whispers have starting calling for a new American policy of protectionism. The liberal media made jest of our lame duck, President Bush, emphasizing the need for the maintainability of free trade in the Pacific region which includes Latin America. Mr. Bush is right on target about this priority.
The United States needs to formulate a consistent policy of constructive engagement with the countries of Latin America. Joint economic development which benefits all the countries involved rather than protectionism is essential.
We must realize that we will never be able to control the illicit drug problem in the United States by actions outside the United States. We can more effectively enforce the laws in our own country than force another country to enforce their laws. A priority must be given to a total overhaul of the approach to illicit drugs in the United States. Money given to foreign governments to control drugs is probably better spent on our own border security.
Massive foreign aid and sending “volunteers” to Latin American countries as proposed by President elect Barack Obama will not work. We will not be able to control how the money is spent. Many will see U.S. government sponsored “volunteers” as occupiers or even spies and they will subjected to kidnapping or outright violence.
Instead we need to reinforce positive changes which occur in Latin American countries externally without being seen as interfering in their internal workings. We must have trade deals that are progressive but not demanding of unrealistic conditions which are doomed from the start. Trade should remain our major diplomatic tool and should always be favored over saber rattling or handouts to corrupt foreign officials.
Many of America’s leading Hispanic companies have lead the way in promoting and developing trade with Latin America. A shared culture they have with these countries gives them an advantage. But now they see an American government which is increasingly Anti-Latin American in tone and rhetoric from all sides of the political spectrum. President Elect Barack Obama should allow Commerce Secretary designate Bill Richardson to convene a panel of experts from the American Hispanic business community to make suggestions on developing a new trade policy with Latin America.
Tony Magaña grew up in McAllen Texas, attended Texas A&M University, holds a doctorate from Harvard University. The co-founder of Contempo Magazine has participated in Valley business for over 20 years.He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
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