Election 2020: How Long Will Latin America Be the Forgotten Continent?
By Alfredo Ramirez
What is the foreign policy position of the United States toward Latin America? Even the most seasoned foreign policy professional would have trouble answering that question.
There is a chance to revisit and reorder U.S. global foreign policy priorities after November 3rd, especially in Latin America. Whether it is a Republican or Democrat, the next President of the United States who continues to ignore our southern neighbors will do so at great consequence.
For over a decade, Latin America has held the uncontested title of the “Forgotten Continent” as the United States has continually neglected the region in foreign policy planning and strategy. This neglect was crystalized with near perfection when President Trump tentatively canceled his first (and to-date, only) visit to Latin America for the G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires after a chemical weapons attack in Syria. He ultimately attended the Summit but would cancel additional visits to the region and skip the 2018 Summit of the Americas.
Since the early 2000s, neglect and deterioration have been the overarching theme of relationships between the U.S. and Latin American states. This neglect has not only facilitated the rise of dysfunctional and anti-American governments that have provoked numerous economic, environmental, and humanitarian crises, but it has also allowed U.S. adversaries to gain a foothold in America’s backyard.
China has led this encroachment, mostly through economic assistance and investment. Loans from the China Development Bank and China Export-Import Bank to Latin America and state-owned firms have totaled over $137 billion since 2005–a majority to Venezuela, Brazil, Ecuador, and Argentina. The Belt and Road Initiative has also found partners in over a dozen Latin American states where China’s influence and favorability could increase in the coming years.
Although a smaller economic engine, Russia has pursued diplomatic agreements and an increased geopolitical presence in the region through arms sales, commercial deals, and a state-backed media presence in Russia Today. Vladimir Putin is also incentivized to invest in autocratic regimes in Venezuela and Nicaragua to discourage Russian citizens from removing him from office through popular protests as insurrection against or the collapse of autocratic regimes often encourage protests elsewhere (i.e. Color Revolutions, Arab Spring.)
Iran has also maintained a robust presence in Latin America, despite crushing economic sanctions, counteracting U.S. influence and prestige in the region. Earlier this year, Iran began collaborating with China to repair and restart run-down oil refineries in Venezuela. Iran also engaged in military assistance to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s personal security forces. In return, Iran has been able to avoid the full weight of U.S. sanctions by stocking up on gold reserves provided by Venezuela as payment for Iranian oil and other investments.
While the U.S. remains the dominant trading partner for many Latin American states and maintains a healthy relationship with countries like Colombia, the influence of U.S. adversaries in the region warrants more attention than they have been given in recent years. Furthermore, decisive blows to the dictatorships of Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua would help push Iran and Russia out of the region and mitigate the impacts of growing Chinese influence.
While it is not necessary to return to the days of the Monroe Doctrine, the next President of the United States must pay greater attention to economic, humanitarian, environmental, and political developments in Latin America. Even simple acts such as more frequent visits to countries in the area from high-ranking officials and regular attendance by the President of the United States to the Summit of the Americas would demonstrate U.S. commitment to the long-term prosperity of the region.
The COVID-19 pandemic presents a worldwide need for recovery, and many indebted Latin American countries will be looking outside their borders for economic assistance. If the U.S. is not available to fulfill those needs, we can expect the influence and strength of our adversaries to continue growing in the region. Once their power surpasses our own, or at least weakens U.S. power to a level of regional multipolarity, U.S. leaders will not need to be reminded about Latin America any longer.
Alfredo Ramirez is a Venezuelan-American writer, digital strategist, small business owner, and MALD Candidate (2022). He has written for the Huffington Post and Berggruen Institute. He founded and currently runs ALRAS Digital, a digital strategies consultancy helping nonprofits, foundations, and individuals in issue advocacy, thought leadership, and grassroots organizing. At Fletcher, he is studying environmental and resource policy, focusing on the politics and policies to help transition fossil-fuel bases economies to a more sustainable future. In his free time, Alfredo enjoys spending time in the outdoors and driving his 2012 Yamaha Super Tenere around the country.
Latin American Flags is by Steven Damron and is licensed under CC BY 2.0
