Colombia Free Trade Pact: Approve it Now, Part II

U.S. policy toward South America has varied from benign neglect to “oops.” The 2005 cutoff of military aid to countries that would not exempt American military personnel serving in their countries from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court was an “oops.” The then-commander of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), told Congress, “There will be unintended consequences, that we lose contact, engagement, the opportunity to learn from them and teach them about the values and ideals and beliefs in democratic institutions… and others will fill that gap.” JINSA asked:

U.S. policy toward South America has varied from benign neglect to “oops.” The 2005 cutoff of military aid to countries that would not exempt American military personnel serving in their countries from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court was an “oops.” The then-commander of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), told Congress, “There will be unintended consequences, that we lose contact, engagement, the opportunity to learn from them and teach them about the values and ideals and beliefs in democratic institutions… and others will fill that gap.” JINSA asked:

Who? Indigenous anti-American politicians, of course, and drug lords, but also terrorists looking for a home since we chased the Taliban out of Afghanistan. And the Chinese military… Chinese defense officials made 20 visits to Latin American and Caribbean nations last year, while nine high-level delegations from Latin America visited China. All of which makes the region a swamp of potentially tragic proportions. (JINSA Report #479, March 2005)

A JINSA delegation visited SOUTHCOM this month to be updated on the ways in which terrorist organizations and terror-supporting countries have taken advantage of weak governments to undermine democratic states and free-market, pro-American policies.

China has taken full advantage of our lessened presence. According to SOUTHCOM officials, “This used to be our region; now we share it with the Chinese” who aim to become the “partner of choice” for Latin American countries. They are providing economic and military aid as well as joint training and hosting delegations in China. The quick payoff – last year three countries switched recognition from Taiwan to Beijing.

Furthermore, there is a nexus between terror and criminal organizations, cooperating on piracy, fundraising, communication fraud, arms trafficking, document forging, money laundering, alien smuggling and support networks. Evidence indicates that Venezuela, Cuba and Iran play a role, and Ecuador was providing sanctuary for the FARC until Colombia raided the camp.

Iran, bolstered by high oil prices, invested millions in Chavez’s Venezuela in 2006. Since Venezuela is also benefiting from $100/bbl oil, can we assume the money is going elsewhere? Iran now has nine embassies in the region, an increase of four since 2004, and there are weekly flights between Caracas and Tehran via Syria. No visas required. Who are they putting in our hemisphere and why?

The U.S. has to get in the game and get in fast. We believe the people of South America have seen enough dictators and dirty wars to last a lifetime. We cannot believe they are indifferent to the trouble Iran, Cuba and Venezuela can cause, with China looking on approvingly. We believe they want trade and prosperity. But they can’t do it alone and they can’t do it without strong American backing for those democratically elected governments trying to stem the tide of left-leaning, socialist dictators who permit, if not endorse, terrorist groups among them.

Passage of the proposed Free Trade Agreement with Colombia would be an important way to ensure that our friends to the south know that the United States has not abandoned them.