Originally published on the CGS blog on April 6, 2016.
President Obama made headlines in March with his historic visit to Cuba, but his less sensational trip to Argentina may prove to be equally important in repairing U.S.-Latin America relations.
The move to normalize relations with Cuba will no doubt become a central piece of the Obama legacy. However, it’s only one aspect of the Administration’s engagement with the region over the past two years, which has involved a strategic pivot from previous policies. It began in late 2013 when Secretary of State John Kerry proposed a new beginning during his speech to the Organization of American States, in which he declared that the Monroe Doctrine was “over.” In the years since, inviting Latin America to the diplomatic table has already been a success. Throughout the region, left-wing policies are going by the wayside while global engagement and free markets are taking hold. And anti-American rhetoric is becoming less popular as leaders discover it’s no longer the battle cry it once was.
Ending the Cuban Embargo
Obama’s call to end the Cuban Embargo is certainly an important move toward a policy of partnership. For 50 years, the Castro regime blamed all of Cuba’s economic woes on the U.S. From food shortages to unemployment, Cuba could always point to unfair foreign policies instead of looking inward at its unsustainable Communist system. But it’s hard to denounce a U.S. president who says, “What we did for 50 years did not serve our interests or the interests of the Cuban people.” It’s harder still to denounce an administration that backs up this assertion by hosting diplomatic talks on trade, ocean conservation, and transnational crime. (Only Congress can lift the embargo.)
Next Stop: Buenos Aires
It’s no surprise that Buenos Aires was Obama’s next stop on his Latin America tour. Argentina’s newly elected President Mauricio Macri has already started implementing new, fiscally responsible policies as he moves to reset foreign relations.
The visit also held symbolic importance, with Obama apologizing for America’s involvement in Argentina’s Dirty War, the former military dictatorship’s campaign against suspected left-wing opponents. Acknowledging how much damage past U.S. policies have caused in the region will go a long way to improve relations.
U.S.-Latin American Relations 2.0
Strengthening ties is prudent for both Latin American and the United States. Over one billion dollars crosses the U.S.-Mexico border every day, making Latin America the fastest growing trading partner for the United States. But there’s more to relations than trade. With over 55 million Latinos living in America, the line between Anglo and Latino cultures is quickly blurring. And the 585 million citizens of the region largely value a strong civil society, freedom of speech, and universal equality, proving that the U.S. has much in common with its southern neighbors.
Today, relations are obvioulsy stronger in certain countries such as Colombia and Mexico. President Obama has already come out in support of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos’ commitment to ending the violent conflict with the FARC and is backing Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto’s ambitious structural reforms. Meanwhile, Obama has also been targeting the cause of mass immigration from Central America by offering substantial financial aid to help these countries combat violence, corruption, and a dire economic situation.
Unfortunately, the President still faces an uphill battle both at home and abroad. Left-leaning nations such as Venezuela and its closest ally Cuba remain distrustful of the United States, while the Republican party’s anti-immigration and pro-embargo stances have hindered Obama’s efforts. Despite the Administration’s progress, the U.S. has a long way to go to heal the rifts in the Western hemisphere.
