Latin America & Caribbean Archives - Foreign Policy In Focus

Coming of Age in Colombia: “No Podemos Perder La Esperanza”

by América Esmeralda Montañez Puche | May 1, 2001

When I think about Colombia, I think about its music and dances–vallenato, porro, bambuco, cumbia, salsa, merengue, son. I dream about its food, landscapes, exotic species, and variety of climates. I smell the coffee and remember the beautiful colors of its emeralds and flowers, mountains and beaches. I also think about its people–Costeños, Pastusos, Bogotanos, Paisas, Santandereanos, Llaneros, Caleños, Indian, black, mulatto, and mestizo. I think about the people who work hard in cities and farms in order to provide for their families, persons who love watching soccer with their friends, who enjoy family life, and who dream of a better life in the future.

Hard-Learned Lessons: Plan Colombia and Democracy in Peru

by Carlos Reyna Izaguirre | May 1, 2001

For there to be a successful antidrug policy in Peru, two conditions must be met. First, there must be a clearly democratic government, with executive, legislative, judicial, police, and military institutions that effectively guarantee a balance of powers and enforcement of the rule of law-all of which will prevent impunity and increase government accountability to the country’s citizens. And second, there must be an economic policy that makes a priority of reducing unemployment and improving the rural economy.

Drug Plane Shoot-Down Policy In Latin America

by JoAnn Kawell | May 1, 2001

When the Peruvian air force shot down a civilian Cessna last week, killing missionary Veronica Bowers and infant daughter Charity, it was the CIA-contracted crew of a U.S. surveillance plane who had tagged the tiny craft as a suspected drug carrier. This so-called “liberal shoot-down policy” would never be tolerated in this country, but it’s been part of U.S. policy in Latin America for years. In fact, military forces there, aided by the U.S., have “forced down” over 120 planes suspected of transporting drugs, according to the 1999 congressional testimony of General Charles Wilhelm.

Closing the Latin American Air-Bridge: A Disturbing History

by JoAnn Kawell | May 1, 2001

Closing the Latin American Air-Bridge:

Otto Reich’s Dirty Laundry

by Alec Dubro | Apr 1, 2001

Otto Reich’s Dirty Laundry Alec Dubro

The “Ugly American Problem” in Colombia

by Frida Berrigan | Feb 1, 2001

President Bush worries that the “United States might become militarily engaged” in Colombia. It’s a little late for that. Reports that American civilians were involved in an exchange of fire between FARC guerrillas and Colombian police last week put U.S. military involvement in sharp focus. The millions of dollars invested in renovating military bases in El Salvador, Ecuador, and the Caribbean, together with the training of new counternarcotics battalions, indicate that the U.S. has long term military plans in the region–even if George W. Bush hasn’t figured it out yet. His meeting with Colombian President Andres Pastrana provides an important and timely opportunity to evaluate and even reverse U.S. military involvement.

Colombia: Rules of the Game

by Winifred Tate | Feb 1, 2001

When the U.S. and Colombia meet on the soccer field in Miami this Saturday, the rules are clear, the time is fixed, the game is officiated, and one team will win. In contrast, the U.S. is playing a far different game in Colombia: there are no rules, no referee, a maze of different ‘teams,’ and no clear end. The playing field is a battlefield. No one wins; everyone loses.

Mr. Bush Goes to Mexico: Recommendations for Immigration Discussion

by Anne Seymour | Feb 1, 2001

Despite reports in the mainstream press to the contrary, the optimism sparked by Vicente Fox’s unprecedented electoral victory and the new political openness in Mexico, which he has inspired, are not likely to permanently reduce undocumented migration from Mexico to the United States. Rather, both the human rights situation on the border and the future stability of the U.S.-Mexico region necessitate a change in the way the U.S. and Mexico are handling crossborder migration.

Bush’s Foreign Policy in Latin America: Colombia and U.S. Drug Policy

by Coletta Youngers | Jan 1, 2001

The Latin American region received little attention during either the presidential campaign or in the press coverage of the incoming administration.

Latin American Policy and the Bush Administration

by Michael Shifter | Jan 1, 2001

George W. Bush’s decision to make his first overseas trip to Mexico, in mid-February, has generated a great deal of speculation about what this could possibly mean for changes in U.S. policy toward Latin America over the next four years. It is clear that Mexico is vastly more familiar and comfortable for Bush than any other foreign country. In light of the questions raised about the former Texas governor’s foreign policy experience and competence during the campaign, it is hardly surprising that he would look first to the country immediately south of the Rio Grande to show he is up to the job.