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Column 010906 Brewer

Monday, January 9, 2006

Restoring faith and security in the Americas

By Jerry Brewer

Although it could be a long and arduous task, Latin

American governments must be assisted in rallying
support for democratic freedoms. They must convince
their leaders that they cannot afford to pay the price in
allowing neighbors to subvert them. Emerging threats
caused by lack of economic opportunity and weak rule
of law alone are chronic failures threatening a
hemisphere.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez responded to his

own victory via a controversial recall referendum, by
aggressively moving to eliminate the independence of
the media and judiciary, criminalize the opposition, and
establish control over the economy.

The presidential victory of Evo Morales in Bolivia is a

significant development for Washington to digest.
Morales, a unionist coca farmer and head of the
“Movement Towards Socialism,” speaks highly of Cuba’s
Fidel Castro, as does Chavez. Too, no one had to guess
his loyalties and agenda as Morales demonstrated them
clearly in Argentina last year at the Summit of the
Americas. There he joined Chavez in anti-U.S.
demonstrations, vowing to be “Washington’s
nightmare.”

Many fear that Bolivia will become the next domino to

fall to “radical populism.” A U.S. Defense Department
news release in August 2005 reported a “senior defense
official” telling reporters that “Cuban ideology, backed
by Nicaraguan financing, is targeting nations like
Bolivia” and others that are teetering between
democracy and leftist governments.
Are we just being paranoid on these issues? I think
not.

In fact, the question is if U.S. administration neglect of

Latin America over the past four years has caused this
erosion of previous democratic strongholds?

Approximately 300 of 365 million people in South

America are now living under leftwing governments. A
decade ago Latin America’s stronger democratic leaders
could be counted on to rally against authoritarian
movements with the help of the United States, using
the vehicle of the Organization of American States.

What might be the reason for this shift to a leftist

ideology whose leaders profess loyalty to the
Communist dictatorship of Fidel Castro, and the
teachings of Che Guevara?

Might we suggest “money” with the connotation of it

being the root of all evil?

Venezuela has bought off a raft of governments with

subsidized supplies of oil. As well, Chavez’s surging oil
revenue is allowing Castro’s dictatorship to breath fresh
air. Money that is also being used to sponsor anti-
democratic, anti-U.S., and anti-free trade movements
throughout Latin America according to near daily news
reports.

Chavez’s reckless revolution is accelerating throughout

Latin America, and those who are not part of the
solution are essentially part of the problem. Leftist
leaders who are fooling no one other than those who
cannot recognize their subterfuge of “trade differences”
and rhetoric of “Yankee imperialism.”

They are attempting to remake Latin America along

radical-left and anti-U.S. lines, plain and simple.

Latin America’s future is hanging in the balance and up

for grabs. So where will the remaining holdouts for
democracy reach for help? Will the U.S. extend a hand
as a concerned neighbor and partner? Or will the U.S.
build walls to shut them out, battening down the
hatches and playing ostrich?

Indifference would support leaders such as Chavez, who

literally declared war against privately owned farms
when he sent troops to occupy one of Venezuela’s
largest cattle ranches. Chavez, whose rule continues to
be turbulent, in fact shows total disregard for
democratic processes with his “Bolivarian revolution.”
It has been said, in what one might describe as the
blind leading the blind, that President George W. Bush
should be less concerned about the influence in Latin
America of Chavez, and “recognize instead that populist
movements are homegrown phenomena.” The poor,
the neglected, and the plight of indigenous populations
are cited. But one must ask if oppression is a valuable
crop to grow?

It is time for smarter diplomacy, with a principled focus

on the continuity of democratic institutions and
practices. Democratic governments in Latin America
need aid from the United States and other free nations,
with an emphasis on assisting their governments to
become more responsive, more accountable, and better
at delivering basic human services. Too, they must
know that the United States and the international
community are full and united partners in democracy,
by providing resources to address chronic ills, problems
and failures.

Human needs, good health and regional security in the

Western Hemisphere, for our neighbors and ourselves,
must be a paramount priority. Accordingly, the
southern border of the United States must be a bridge
representing a friend and partner’s helping hand,
versus an alienation of affection.

——————————
Jerry Brewer, the Vice President of Criminal Justice
International Associates, a global risk mitigation firm
headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, is also a columnist
with MexiData.info. He can be reached via e-mail at
Cjiaincusa@aol.com jbrewer@cjiausa.org