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Column 010311 Brewer

Monday, January 3, 2011

Many Latin Americans are Up Against Despotic Rule in

2011

By Jerry Brewer

In what has traditionally been a popular annual theme

throughout the Americas — the question, is there a future for
continued democracy in Latin America, may not now be the
most pressing concern in the New Year.

While there are South and Central American nations that

continue to demonstrate unstable positions of democratic
government, many of these countries have demonstrated even
weaker enforcement of law and order. Moreover, several
nations are also experiencing destabilizing and counter
democratization trends.

It is important for Latin Americans to continue to genuinely

reflect on the true issues of real democracy, as their elected
governments posture to address other serious conflict and
uncertainty.

With the region’s varying levels of democracy — and those

that are purely façades, democracy will continue to serve as
an important legitimizing force of government. A free press,
respect for human rights, and free and competitive elections,
all serve as critical checks and balances on potential abuses
of power and give real meaning to the concept of self-
government and sovereignty. Consequently, remaining
democratic must be a priority for those wishing to be free of
tyranny.

What possibly could be a more pressing issue than

maintaining pure democracy? One of the first issues that
comes to mind, with factual perspective and much evidence
demonstrated, is the potential threat to hemispheric and U.S.
security with the growing influence and involvement of Iran in
the region. Concern and fear did not wane recently when
elected government officials in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil,
Ecuador, and Uruguay joined ranks and voted to support a
Palestinian state.

Evidence of leftist government support came when an early

advisor and “global political strategist” to President Hugo
Chavez of Venezuela, Norberto Ceresole, advised that Latin
America “must forge alliances with Arab nations to fight
against the U.S.,” and what he called “the Jewish financial
mafia.” Chavez subsequently played a major role at the first
South American-Arab Summit in Brazil, attacking the U.S. and
Israel as the chief enemies of Latin America.

Nicaragua’s leftist President Daniel Ortega has continued the

rhetoric from the beginning of his presidential campaign
comeback, after being voted from power over 15 years ago.
He spoke of the “evils of capitalism and the U.S.” He also
emphasized, “The U.S. no longer rules Latin America. The
Yankees no longer rule Nicaragua.”

Ortega, like many of his leftist leader supporters, is also trying

to extend presidential term limits (to a third term) beyond
established constitutional provisions. In almost comical
fashion, in which he addressed the recent Costa Rican and
Nicaraguan dispute of the border at the mouth of the San Juan
River, Ortega accused Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama,
Mexico and Colombia of representing the interests of
narcotraffickers.

Costa Rica’s strong international support prompted Ortega to

announce, “Drug traffickers are directing Costa Rica's foreign
policy." He claimed that the Nicaraguan soldiers deployed in
the disputed border region are there to fight the war on drugs.
He said any country that opposes Nicaragua's military
presence in the area must therefore be defending the interests
of narcotraffickers. The major flap on this incident was
allegedly due to a group of Nicaraguans dredging the river
who set up camp on the Costa Rican side, backed by about 50
soldiers.

As leftist leaders throughout the Americas continue their

efforts to centralize both political and economic power in their
own hands to the detriment of their countries' democratic
institutions, Mexico continues to fight a transnational battle
against drug traffickers and criminals of organized crime within
their homeland. Recent small bombs placed on cars in Mexico
raises even more fears of eventual far larger and more deadly
vehicle-borne explosive devices being utilized, due to the
progressive nature demonstrated by these organized criminals
so far in the use of superior armament.

In 2011, the Mexican government pledges to “continue its all-

out assault on Mexico’s cartels.” Their basic premise, with
much merit, is that their strategies have succeeded in
weakening Mexico’s drug cartels, although the U.S. drug
demand remains voracious for product. Mexico is also
witness, and contrary to the opinion of some, that the “war on
drugs is key to the prohibitionist paradigm.” Mexico knows
that their rates of murder, kidnapping for ransom, robbery,
human trafficking, and related violent crime, which are out of
control, would not simply stop if drugs were legal. They face
an enemy that seeks to control and rule the Mexican
homeland.
The New Year could bring a new era of continued global
conflict and insurgency to the Western Hemisphere through
continued leftist rhetoric and manipulation, as well as
provocative military movements and massive arms purchases.
Instead, the region's leaders should show their strength and
commitment for freedom, and the safety and welfare of all
people.

——————————
Jerry Brewer is C.E.O. of Criminal Justice International
Associates, a global threat mitigation firm headquartered
in northern Virginia. His website is located at www.cjiausa.org
TWITTER: cjiausa