The news has been flooded with corrupt US politicians of late, from Arnie to Weiner (the latter being just too easy to lampoon). In the midst of these political imbroglios, it is easy miss some bigger issues that don't quite make the headlines.
A report by the Global Commission on Drug Policy is calling for the legalization of some drugs. The report recommends instead of punishing users (and costing the taxpayers millions of dollars), governments should seek models to legalize drugs and undermine the drug cartels.
BBC World News
The war on drugs (now more commonly called war on narco-terrorism to reconcile the two campaigns) has not dented opiate production. According to the Global Commission's report, the UN estimates that opiate use increased 35% worldwide from 1998 to 2008, cocaine by 27%, and cannabis by 8.5%. The war on drugs seems to have had little impact on production which also means usage increased or at least remained consistent.
Opium is produced from poppies grown in Afghanistan. The Taliban (al Qaeda) control opium production and one can't but wonder if the US military presence wasn't in part to try to curtail opium production. If a terrorist group controls the production of drugs, then it is easy to conclude drug money funds terrorism. Nothing new here really as most terrorist groups active during the 1980s had to find a new funding source once the Soviet Union folded.
The al Qaeda now is active in Honduras. The United States history in Central America is abysmal. From the United Fruit Company to the Sandinistas, the United States has backed some of the most violent groups in the region. As a result, Honduras has a very weak economy. Al Qaeda has money and trafficking opium through Honduras offers both advantages. Honduras can receive some badly needed money and Al Qaeda gets closed to targets in the United States.
My original inclination was to right a cautionary piece about Al Qaeda renewing its efforts but then I read where US military construction in Central and South American has doubled in the last two years (source: "Pentagon Using Drug Wars as an Excuse to Build Bases in Latin America", News America Media Jun 3, 2011).
"Congress approved a $25 million expansion of barracks for enlisted troops at the U.S. base in Soto Cano, Honduras, located 50 miles north of the capital in Tegucigalpa. The base houses about 500 U.S. troops, as well as support personnel, and served as a way-station for the aircraft that whisked President Manuel Zelaya out of Honduras during the June 2009 military coup, according to Zelaya and a leaked State Department cable. Zelaya had proposed making the base intro a commercial airport in 2008. Now, a new operating center for U.S. Special Forces troops is being built on the base. "
News America Media
Most Americans think US bases overseas have drawn down. That is because most think of overseas bases as those in Europe where the US presence has drastically reduced over the last 20 years. However, the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq created a boom in overseas constructions through Southwest Asia (Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bahrain). US military are often based on existing military bases so those in Colombia and now Central America don't show up on a list of bases since those facilities are not owned by the United States.
The United States continue to spend money on bases and policies that have not produced results (especially in regards to drugs). The building of bases in Central America seems to only increase the likelihood of Al Qaeda spending more money in the region. The Southwest border is extremely porous despite efforts to the contrary. The drug wars in Mexico seem like the perfect compliment to Al Qaeda operations.
We need to refocus on these issues no matter how much fun it is to read about a politician's self-destruction.
“If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.”--Benjamin Franklin
Showing posts with label South America. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South America. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, May 31, 2010
Colombians vote for 'safe pair of hands' as president
Most Americans don't understand the historical reasons for South America's anti-America feelings. From the United Fruit Company's exploitation of Central and South American lands to CIA backed right-wing juntas, US involvement with South America has been decidedly one-sided.
The warm embrace of President Obama from Hugo Chavez notwithstanding, the US is seen as having backed some of the most notorious dictators in South America. The US typically backed right-wing dictators under the assumption these leaders would further democracy, as opposed to the left-wing Marxist leaders who were vociferously anti-American. Unfortunately, most of the left-wing leaders are seen by the fellow countrymen as fighting for the people and the return of lands, while the right-wing leaders were often seen as aligning with the US or US backed corporations.
Colombian production of cocaine is supported in large part by workers that believe the United States is an evil, capitalistic empire that has done nothing but exploit them. By supporting cocaine and the drug cartels, the workers feel they are able to strike at the heart of the United States by helping to feed its drug habit.
The latest Colombian election does nothing to change the situation. President Santos is viewed as supporting the United States. Hugo Chavez has branded Santos a threat to the whole region. Ecuador has indicted Mr. Santos on charges of bombing a FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces Colombia) camp killing 26 rebels.
The oil spill in Gulf Coast will be viewed as further evidence of corporate greed of the United States. South Americans will view the lack of response by the federal government as further indictment of US policies. The Gulf Coast is primarily occupied by the low income, working class...the same demographic that has felt the wrath of right-wing dictators in South America. If we won't take of our own people, why should South Americans feel the US has anything but contempt for them?
BBC News - Colombians vote for 'safe pair of hands' as president
The warm embrace of President Obama from Hugo Chavez notwithstanding, the US is seen as having backed some of the most notorious dictators in South America. The US typically backed right-wing dictators under the assumption these leaders would further democracy, as opposed to the left-wing Marxist leaders who were vociferously anti-American. Unfortunately, most of the left-wing leaders are seen by the fellow countrymen as fighting for the people and the return of lands, while the right-wing leaders were often seen as aligning with the US or US backed corporations.
Colombian production of cocaine is supported in large part by workers that believe the United States is an evil, capitalistic empire that has done nothing but exploit them. By supporting cocaine and the drug cartels, the workers feel they are able to strike at the heart of the United States by helping to feed its drug habit.
The latest Colombian election does nothing to change the situation. President Santos is viewed as supporting the United States. Hugo Chavez has branded Santos a threat to the whole region. Ecuador has indicted Mr. Santos on charges of bombing a FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces Colombia) camp killing 26 rebels.
The oil spill in Gulf Coast will be viewed as further evidence of corporate greed of the United States. South Americans will view the lack of response by the federal government as further indictment of US policies. The Gulf Coast is primarily occupied by the low income, working class...the same demographic that has felt the wrath of right-wing dictators in South America. If we won't take of our own people, why should South Americans feel the US has anything but contempt for them?
BBC News - Colombians vote for 'safe pair of hands' as president
Monday, September 14, 2009
Chavez Gets $2.2 Bln Russian Arms Credit Line
Breaking News, Politics, Commentary from around the world
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US foreign policy tends to focus East/West and rarely looks to the South. The US has ignored Central and South American partners in favor of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. There is a sense of being exploited in the the Southwestern Hemisphere by thanks in part to the legacy of the United States Fruit Company and Standard Oil. It should come as no surprise then that Russia is making in-roads with Hugo Chavez who feels threatened by the presence of American troops being stationed next door in Colombia. Secretary Clinton should spend time in Central and South America to help improve our perceptions down there. Unlike the Middle East or Asia, the United States is physically connected to South America. Threats based in those nations have a far easier time striking our nation.
Posted using ShareThis
US foreign policy tends to focus East/West and rarely looks to the South. The US has ignored Central and South American partners in favor of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. There is a sense of being exploited in the the Southwestern Hemisphere by thanks in part to the legacy of the United States Fruit Company and Standard Oil. It should come as no surprise then that Russia is making in-roads with Hugo Chavez who feels threatened by the presence of American troops being stationed next door in Colombia. Secretary Clinton should spend time in Central and South America to help improve our perceptions down there. Unlike the Middle East or Asia, the United States is physically connected to South America. Threats based in those nations have a far easier time striking our nation.
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