U.S. Perspectives and Foreign Policy in Latin America Essay

U.S. Perspectives and Foreign Policy in Latin America - Essay ExampleThe BBC asserted that while the U.S. government has been busy implementing its state of war against terrorism in Iran and Afghanistan, its relations with Latin America turned sour, from Mexico down to Peru. Strong anti-American feelings, or what one Peruvian leader called the neo-liberal economic illustration that has failed to benefit our nation, converted into a string of electoral victories by what the West perceives as left-leaning governments. 2A leftward drift is apparent in Latin Americas southern hemisphere since the start of the decade. In Venezuela, leftist Hugo Chavez garnered 56.93% of the votes in 30 July 2000. In Brazil, center-Left Luis Inacio LULA da Silva won 61.27% in the second round of elections in October 27, 2002. In Argentina, left-leaning Nestor Kirchner was sworn in as president on May 25, 2003 to a four-year term of office after his rival, Carlos Menem, decided to stand down. In Uruguay, Tabar Ramn Vzquez Rosas of the Frente Amplio garnered 51.94% in the October 31, 2004 elections. In Bolivia, left-wing Evo Morales won a historic 54% of the vote in 18 celestial latitude 2005. In Chile, center-Left Michelle Bachelets second round votes of 53.49% astound Michelle Bachelet in 15 January 2006. In Peru, center-Left Alan Garcia beat Ollanta Humala in 4 June 2006. 3Lula is again expected to win in the upcoming run-off elections this 29 October 2006. On December 3, Venezuelas Chavez will face liberal democrat Manuel Rosales. Elsewhere in the region, leftward shifts that are not necessarily anti-U.S. have also been observed in Honduras, Haiti, and Costa Rica. actor Nicaraguan Sandinista Party Chief Daniel Ortega will make another presidential re-election bid in November 2006. II. Independence, Regional Integration and Petroleum Politics Noam Chomsky, the renowned linguistic scientist and political analyst, noted in June 2006 that for the first time since the Spanish colon ization, many countries in the hemisphere are moving towards a degree of independence and towards a degree of integration. Petroleum-oil and gas-is a key issue. Chomsky adds that the United states is terrified considering that the largest energy producer in the hemisphere is Venezuela, which is one of the five founding members of the Organization of Petroleum merchandise Countries (OPEC). Bolivia, with its vast gas reserves, is second to Venezuela. 4Last February, U.S. secretary of state Condoleezza Rice accused Chavez of Latin brand of populism that has taken countries down the drain, and that Venezuelas relationship with Cuba is particularly dangerous. 5A controversial figure next to Venezuelas Hugo Chavez is Evo Morales of Bolivia. Last March 2006, Noam Chomsky said of Evo Moraless victoryMorales election reflects the entry of the indigenous population into the political domain of a function throughout the continent. Along with other popular forces, indigenous people are deman ding control over their own resources, a serious threat to Washingtons plans to rely on resources from the Western hemisphere, particularly energy. 6Otto Reich, former assistant secretary of state for the Western hemisphere and adviser to President George Bush, presents a different view however. In the same BBC interview with Noam Chomsky regarding Evo Morales challenge to the