HispanicVista Columnists

Colorado politicians warn about consequences of neglecting Latin America
Chamber of the Americas

Denver, CO, Nov. 1, 2006- Two prominent politicians from Colorado warned this morning about the negative consequences for the United States if the American foreign policy keeps ignoring and neglecting Latin America.

Former Senator and presidential candidate Gary Hart, and Congressman Mark Udall (D-Colorado 2) spoke on “United States Policy towards Latin America” at the Chamber of the Americas’ Executive Forum Breakfast, with almost 100 business people, diplomats, and elected officials in attendance.

Hart, who currently teaches at Graduate School of Public Affairs of the University of Colorado in Denver, said the history of the relations between the United States and Latin America is still defined by the Monroe Doctrine, expressed by President Monroe in 1823. This doctrine says the America continent will not be a land of colonies.

“This doctrine was never ratified by the U.S. Senate and it was never incorporated in any treaty or statute. However, it is still the key element in the relationships of the United States in this hemisphere”, Hart said.

Hart then listed the conflicts between the United States and Latin America, including the Mexican-American war (1848), the war against Spain (1898), and the Cold War (“When everybody thought the whole continent will fall to the communists”, he said).

Another conflict, Hart said, began after War World II, when American corporations arrived in Latin America.

Hart also spoke about the “stupid policy” of the United States towards Cuba, and of the equally “stupid” decision of building a wall on the Mexican-American border.

“The United States has not paid enough attention to Latin America, except perhaps during the Cold War. And now most of the attention is given my American corporations, but not the government,” he said.

“So far we have been lucky. But with immigration and national security on the front burner, we need to repair broken relationships and build political and security bridges,” he added.

Hart said it is time for the United States to recognize the diversity of Latin America, repair broken relations with Latin American countries, and build “political and security bridges.”

“Let’s start thinking hemispherically, on the basis of our collective interest on freedom and security”, Hart said.

Congressman Udall said there are so many restrictions and conditions to build the wall on the Mexican-American border, including budget and environmental restrictions, that probably the wall will never be built and, it is built, it will not be effective.

“All walls eventually come down. The border may be a line on a map, but it is not a line in the mind of the people. We need a new guest worker program, without the shortcomings of the 'bracero' program,” Udall said.

Udall also spoke in favor of better economic relations with Latin America.

“We have had some success in the past, but we should do much more. The free trade agreements should benefit not only the United States but also the countries in the region,” he said.

____________________________________________________

The Chamber of the Americas is a not-for-profit organization with a simple, profoundly important goal: To help you make the most of your business opportunity in the Americas. Stated more formally, the Chamber’s mission is to facilitate commerce and understanding between the businesses and governments of the Western Hemisphere. For more information, visit www.chamberoftheamericas.com or call Gil Cisneros at 303-239-5219.

Chamber of the Americas / Cámara de las Américas

1350 Independence St., Denver, CO 80215-4629

Phone: 303-239-5219 Email: gil@chamberoftheamericas.com