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Column 120505 Brewer

Monday, December 5, 2005

Mexico is gaining momentum in Latin America

By Jerry Brewer

If appearances are not deceiving, Mexican President

Vicente Fox’s dogmatic pursuit of respectability and
prosperity in Latin America is slowly blossoming. This
while Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez may have
never heard the old adage of letting sleeping dogs lie.

Fox continues to stand tall, with much resurgence

apparently manifesting from the recent Summit of the
Americas in Argentina, and the dog and pony show with
violent protesters orchestrated by Chavez.

The verbal exchange between the two Presidents in the

aftermath of the Summit set the stage, and
demonstrated the contrast, for a comparison between
good and evil. More than a hemispheric split in opinion,
Chavez called Fox a “puppy of the (U.S.) empire.” This
as Fox had criticized Chavez’s attempts to win his anti-
free trade agenda and sour the attending nation’s
consideration of the initiatives.

Fox announced that 29 countries supported the

continuation of negotiations toward free trade, and
boldly suggested that an agreement be made without
five opposing countries. And Chavez reacted, not
diplomatically but rather as a leftist bully attempting to
humiliate anyone who opposed him.

Fox subsequently demanded an apology, and an

explanation from Chavez for the disrespect
demonstrated to his nation – which he did not get. This
prompted both Mexico and Venezuela to recall their
respective ambassadors.

Fox wasted no time with this snub by Chavez, as

Mexico continued forward towards an agreement with
Chile. This “strategic association accord” is to be
signed in January, and it is described as an effort to
bring Chile and Mexico closer together politically,
culturally, and technically. Both nations are staunch
supporters of free trade, and Fox proudly remarked that
the deal is centered on care for the citizens of each
country, plus it is a bridge “between all actors of both
nations.”

During and after the Summit several Latin American

presidents complained that their voices had been
virtually censored. Some even complained of being
unable to invite journalists to their hotels for interviews,
while Chavez and Argentina’s soccer legend Diego
Maradona paraded protestors prone to violence through
the streets of Mar del Plata, burning U.S. flags and
insulting President George W. Bush and the United
States.

Their antics, as well as Fox’s proactive posture in the

face of adversity, could also be related to progress last
week in Nicaragua where President Enrique Bolanos
forged a “regional customs union” with his counterparts
from Honduras and Panama. As well, Bolanos said that
once the Central American Free Trade Agreement
(CAFTA) becomes law next year, “we can make
progress in negotiating a free trade agreement with the
European Union.”

The CAFTA alliance has been signed by Guatemala, El

Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, the Dominican
Republic, and Costa Rica, although the Costa Rican
legislature has yet to ratify the accord.

With the exception of Mexico, the United States could

survive without markets in Latin America, which
account for less than six percent of U.S. trade with the
world. U.S. refiners can also purchase oil from
countries other than Venezuela, which supplies around
seven percent of U.S. consumption.

Latin America remains vulnerable to false gods bearing

gifts. Despite poverty rates that average near 50
percent, there has been little pressure for these
countries to reform. Foreign assistance and loans make
it easy to get by without change. However, there are
no shortages of governments such as China and others
that are willing to trade and deal with corrupt
governments that maintain control over various
markets.

This while Chavez spreads petroleum profits around

Latin America to advance his cause, and aids terrorist
groups such as Colombia’s guerillas.

Chile has become a first-world leader in trade and

market liberalization in Latin America. With the
exception of Cuba and Haiti, all Latin American
countries hold competitive elections and have adopted
market-oriented reforms. Mexico has had strong
economic growth over the past several years, along
with a significant impact along the U.S. border.
President Fox highlights these issues in his discussions
on migration, while making economic growth part of the
larger picture.

There is no doubt that a sustained U.S. commitment is

essential to Latin America’s stability and continued
democratic development. However the United States
must act with more strategy than by tactical response,
and the strategies must include promoting stability
through democratic governance, strengthening police
and military capabilities, and help to open economies
through the rule of law and the establishment of pro-
business policies.
____________________
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