🌮Latin American Politics Unit 11 – U.S. Policy in Latin America

Historical Context

• Latin America has been a region of significant interest and influence for the United States since the early 19th century
• The Monroe Doctrine (1823) established the U.S. as a protector of the Western Hemisphere, asserting its opposition to European colonialism in the region
  • Served as a justification for U.S. interventions in Latin American affairs
• The concept of "Manifest Destiny" fueled U.S. expansionism, leading to the acquisition of territories such as Texas, California, and Puerto Rico
• The Spanish-American War (1898) marked a turning point in U.S.-Latin American relations, with the U.S. emerging as a colonial power in the region
• The construction of the Panama Canal (1904-1914) solidified U.S. strategic and economic interests in Central America
• The Roosevelt Corollary (1904) to the Monroe Doctrine asserted the U.S. right to intervene in Latin American countries to maintain stability and protect its interests
• The Good Neighbor Policy (1933) under President Franklin D. Roosevelt sought to improve relations with Latin America through non-intervention and cooperation

Key US Foreign Policy Objectives

• Protecting U.S. economic interests in the region, including investments, trade, and access to natural resources
• Maintaining political stability and preventing the spread of communism during the Cold War era
• Promoting U.S.-friendly governments and suppressing leftist movements or regimes
• Securing U.S. strategic interests, such as military bases and access to key maritime routes (Panama Canal)
• Combating drug trafficking and organized crime originating from Latin America
• Encouraging democratic reforms and respect for human rights, particularly in the post-Cold War period
• Addressing immigration and border security concerns, especially along the U.S.-Mexico border
• Fostering economic development and integration through trade agreements and foreign aid programs

Major US Interventions

• Mexican-American War (1846-1848): Resulted in the annexation of vast territories, including California and New Mexico
• Spanish-American War (1898): Led to U.S. acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, and the establishment of a protectorate over Cuba
• Panama Canal construction (1904-1914): U.S. supported Panama's independence from Colombia to gain control over the canal zone
• Occupation of Nicaragua (1912-1933): U.S. Marines intervened to protect American interests and support conservative governments
• Occupation of Haiti (1915-1934): U.S. intervened to maintain stability and protect its economic interests
• CIA-backed coup in Guatemala (1954): Overthrew the democratically-elected government of Jacobo Árbenz due to his land reforms and perceived communist ties
• Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961): Failed CIA-sponsored invasion of Cuba by Cuban exiles, aimed at overthrowing Fidel Castro's government
• U.S. intervention in the Dominican Republic (1965): Deployed troops to suppress a leftist rebellion and protect American citizens
• Support for military dictatorships in Latin America during the Cold War (1960s-1980s): Provided aid and training to regimes in countries such as Brazil, Chile, and Argentina

Economic Policies and Trade Relations

• The Alliance for Progress (1961-1970): A U.S. foreign aid program aimed at promoting economic and social development in Latin America to counter the appeal of communism
  • Provided billions of dollars in assistance for infrastructure projects, education, and agricultural reforms
• The Caribbean Basin Initiative (1983): Offered trade preferences and economic assistance to countries in Central America and the Caribbean
• The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (1994): Created a free trade bloc between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, reducing tariffs and promoting economic integration
  • Controversial due to concerns over job losses and environmental impacts
• The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) (2004): Expanded free trade benefits to Central American countries and the Dominican Republic
• U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Latin America has grown significantly since the 1990s, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, finance, and services
• The U.S. has used economic sanctions and trade embargoes as tools to pressure Latin American governments, such as the ongoing embargo against Cuba

Cold War Influence

• The U.S. viewed Latin America as a key battleground in the global struggle against communism
• The Cuban Revolution (1959) and the subsequent alliance between Fidel Castro and the Soviet Union heightened U.S. concerns about the spread of communism in the region
• The U.S. supported anti-communist governments and movements, often backing military dictatorships and right-wing paramilitaries
  • Examples include support for the Pinochet regime in Chile and the Contras in Nicaragua
• The U.S. pursued a policy of containment, seeking to isolate and undermine leftist governments through economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and covert operations
• The School of the Americas (now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation) trained Latin American military officers, some of whom were later involved in human rights abuses
• The U.S. intervened militarily in several Latin American countries during the Cold War, such as the invasion of Grenada (1983) and the support for the Salvadoran government during its civil war (1979-1992)
• The end of the Cold War in the early 1990s led to a shift in U.S. policy towards promoting democracy and free-market reforms in the region

Democracy Promotion and Human Rights

• The U.S. has supported democratic transitions and electoral processes in Latin America, particularly since the end of the Cold War
  • Provided assistance for election monitoring, civic education, and strengthening democratic institutions
• U.S. foreign policy has emphasized the importance of human rights, pressuring Latin American governments to address abuses and improve their human rights records
  • Used diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, and aid conditionality to encourage reforms
• The U.S. has supported civil society organizations and human rights defenders in Latin America, providing funding and political backing
• However, the U.S. has faced criticism for its inconsistent approach to human rights, often prioritizing strategic interests over human rights concerns
  • Examples include the support for military dictatorships during the Cold War and the ongoing alliance with Colombia despite human rights issues
• The U.S. has also been accused of double standards in its democracy promotion efforts, with critics arguing that it has been more lenient towards right-wing governments compared to leftist ones
• The U.S. has used the Inter-American Democratic Charter (2001) as a tool to promote democracy in the region, invoking it to address democratic crises in countries such as Venezuela and Honduras

Drug Policy and Security Cooperation

• The U.S. has prioritized combating drug trafficking and production in Latin America, particularly in the Andean region (Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia)
  • Provided significant military and economic assistance to these countries through programs like Plan Colombia (2000-2015)
• The U.S. has pursued a supply-side approach to drug control, focusing on eradication of coca crops, interdiction of drug shipments, and targeting drug cartels
  • Critics argue that this approach has had limited success and has contributed to human rights abuses and displacement of rural communities
• The U.S. has promoted regional security cooperation through initiatives like the Merida Initiative (2008) with Mexico and the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) (2008)
  • These programs provide training, equipment, and intelligence sharing to combat drug trafficking, gang violence, and organized crime
• The U.S. has also focused on border security, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border, to prevent drug smuggling and illegal immigration
  • Controversial policies include the construction of a border wall and the militarization of border enforcement
• The U.S. has worked with Latin American countries to strengthen rule of law and judicial institutions to better address drug-related crimes and corruption
• The U.S. has faced criticism for its emphasis on militarized counter-drug efforts, with some arguing that it has contributed to human rights abuses and neglected the need for drug policy reforms and addressing the root causes of drug production and trafficking

Contemporary Challenges and Debates

• Immigration remains a contentious issue in U.S.-Latin American relations, with debates over border security, asylum policies, and the treatment of undocumented immigrants
  • The U.S. has sought to work with countries like Mexico and Central American nations to address the root causes of migration and strengthen border controls
• The rise of leftist governments in Latin America, such as in Venezuela and Bolivia, has challenged U.S. influence and led to tensions over issues like nationalization of resources and anti-American rhetoric
• The U.S. has faced criticism for its inconsistent approach to democracy and human rights in the region, with some accusing it of being more tolerant of right-wing governments compared to leftist ones
• The growing influence of China in Latin America has raised concerns in the U.S. about economic competition and geopolitical rivalries
  • China has increased its trade, investment, and diplomatic ties with the region, potentially undermining U.S. influence
• The ongoing crisis in Venezuela has posed a significant challenge for U.S. policy, with debates over how to respond to the authoritarian government of Nicolas Maduro and the humanitarian crisis in the country
• Climate change and environmental issues have become increasingly important in U.S.-Latin American relations, with the U.S. seeking to promote clean energy and conservation efforts in the region
• The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for greater public health cooperation and support for Latin American countries struggling with the health and economic impacts of the crisis