World Hist Did We Lose Latin America

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Even in countries where the USSR’s policy was key to developing bilateral state-to-state ties, Moscow had continued to conduct a variety of covert activities and had used other "active measures" to improve its position and play upon national weaknesses over the longer term. A few of these active measures by the Soviets included funding local Communist parties and organizations, while also developing and using causes of influence, mainly through the Cubans, manipulating the media and mass organizations by circulating propaganda and forgeries that targeted the United States, and by drumming up support for global rebels. In response to the Soviets the U.S. took action with such things as The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 with John F Kennedy, and in 1961 the U.S. broke off diplomatic relations with Cuba, and in 1959 dealt with Castro and Rebel Forces in Havana.

So in the end, Latin America, which had been such a trouble spot during the Cold War, fell off the geopolitical map. No longer of strategic importance, it was left unfairly to rebuild its devastated countries with little or no assistance from either of the two superpowers. Do I see the US with any hope of recreating a relationship with Latin American countries? The United States must be a more effective and determined partner in helping countries throughout the Americas achieve their own chosen paths as determined by their own people. As of 2011 the U.S. has developed collaborative platforms like Pathways to Prosperity and the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas, which invite partner governments to join the U.S. in addressing key elements of the hemispheric agenda. Hey it’s progress. The 33 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, (as well as Canada), all have unique attributes that present different opportunities for U.S. policy. The U.S. is also working in close partnership with Mexico and in the past two years has developed cooperative law enforcement teams to help dismantle transnational organized criminal groups. Again, it’s progress. I feel as though it is going to take some time to reengage these countries in working with the United States and trusting us. For the U.S. to have a policy that is respectful, responsive, and realistic would be a start.

1. Gilbert, Steven, "The U.S. Policy of Democracy Promotion in Latin America " (2008)

2. www.fas.org/sgp/crs/r42738

3. Nicholas Klar, 1993, "U.S. Foreign Policy: Latin America" - http://klarbooks.com/academic/ltnamufp.html/11/2015

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