The U.S. and Latin America

The World
The World
(Can you explain the perception that Latin America has towards the U.S.?) I don't think the Bush administration has treated Latin America as the U.S.'s backdoor. We understand their problems and have tried to help them solve their problems. (How come the U.S. is not sitting down right now as we speak with Latin American leaders who have gathered for a regional summit taking place now in Brazil?) We see this as an important step forward but it's a mistake to see these groups as exclusive. (The Brazilian Foreign Minister says this is proof the region can handle its own problems. Is it necessarily a good thing if it means the U.S. has less regional power?) Influence and access are important compliments to power, but this region has been changing dramatically and our diplomacy has attempted to keep pace with that change. (Does that mean the U.S. would welcome the fact that there are several Latin American countries expanding their ties with China and Russia and even Iran?) Sovereign countries make sovereign decisions. The relationship with China is economic, the Russians have proposed military ties with some Latin American countries and that's not smart and unsustainable. As we engage with our partners in the region, we try to encourage them to make their relationships with these other countries transparent. (What was unsustainable?) The Russians won't come back. The larger point is building common agendas in the region and I think we've done this.
Sign up for our daily newsletter

Sign up for The Top of the World, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.