US leaves Summit of Americas isolated

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**Huffy**

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/16/us-americas-summit-obama-idUSBRE83F0UD20120416

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama patiently sat through diatribes, interruptions and even the occasional eye-ball roll at the weekend Summit of the Americas in an effort to win over Latin American leaders fed up with U.S. policies.

He failed.

The United States instead emerged from the summit in Colombia increasingly isolated as nearly 30 regional heads of state refused to sign a joint declaration in protest against the continued exclusion of communist-led Cuba from the event.

The rare show of unity highlights the steady decline of Washington's influence in a region that has become less dependent on U.S. trade and investment thanks to economic growth rates that are the envy of the developed world and new opportunities with China.

It also signals a further weakening of the already strained hemispheric system of diplomacy, built around the Organization of American States (OAS) which has struggled to remain relevant during a time of rapid change for its members.

Seen as an instrument of U.S. policy in Latin America during the Cold War, the OAS has lost ground in a region that is no longer content with being the backyard of the United States.

"It seems the United States still wants to isolate us from the world, it thinks it can still manipulate Latin America, but that's ending," said Bolivian President Evo Morales, a fierce critic of U.S. policy in Latin America and staunch ally of Venezuela's leftist leader Hugo Chavez.

"What I think is that this is a rebellion of Latin American countries against the United States."

NEWFOUND UNITY

In all fairness to Obama, the outcome had little to do with his conduct or even that of secret service agents whose indiscreet encounter with prostitutes in the beachside city of Cartagena, Colombia, overshadowed much of the proceedings.

He was in fact commended by several presidents for listening politely to political leaders, helping soften perception of U.S. officials as arrogant and domineering.

"I think it's the first time I've seen a president of the United States spend almost the entire summit sitting, listening to the all concerns of all countries," said Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

"This was a very valuable gesture by President Obama."

But Obama's staid charm was unable to paper over growing differences with the region.

Facing a tough re-election race this year, Obama had no room to compromise on the five-decade-old U.S. embargo on Cuba that is widely supported by conservatives in the United States, and particularly the anti-Castro exile community in Florida, a key state in a presidential vote.

U.S. insistence that Havana undertake democratic reforms before returning to the hemispheric family led to a clash with a united front of leftist and conservative governments that see Washington's policy toward Cuba as a relic of the Cold War.

The unexpected result was a diplomatic victory for Havana.

The newfound regional unity on Cuba may augur a growing willingness across the political spectrum to challenge the U.S. State Department on thorny issues for years considered taboo.

That could include insistence that the United States assume greater responsibility for reducing consumption of illegal narcotics as an alternative to the bloody war on drugs and its rising toll on Latin America.

"From the so-called Washington consensus ... toward a nascent consensus without Washington for a united Latin America," tweeted Venezuela's foreign ministry, referring to orthodox economic policies advocated by Washington in the 1990s.

NEW DIPLOMACY, NEW ECONOMY

The stark divide over Cuba - with 32 nations in favor of inviting it to future summits and only the United States and Canada opposed - will fuel arguments that the OAS is an outdated institution for regional diplomacy.

The OAS already faces competition from alternative forums such as the Union of South American nations (Unasur) and the Chavez-backed Community of Latin American and Caribbean states (Celac).

Despite the new winds blowing in regional diplomacy, economics is driving the changes as much as politics.

Once seen as monolithic block of basket-case economies dependent on U.S. support, Latin American countries are coveted investment destinations with sophisticated financial systems that have innovated in areas ranging from energy to aviation.

Chinese companies eager to pump oil, harvest soy and build badly needed infrastructure are showering them with offers of investment and financing.

With the U.S. economy still struggling to stay above water and foreign aid budgets seen dwindling, Washington has fewer sticks to brandish and fewer carrots to offer.

"This summit was a reminder, a wake-up call, that the traditional way of doing business vis-a-vis the region is eroding," said Geoff Thale, program director at the Washington Office on Latin America.

**Do_I_Not_Like_That**

Republicans will no doubt attack Barack for this failure, but Obama can't carry the can for Reagan's policies. Besides, as the article says, Florida is a key state, its swing to Obama in the last election pretty much sealed the deal.
I can assure American members on this site of British support as the Latin American countries have been backing Argentina over the Falklands. So the dream team of London and Washington will continue.
Finally, American foreign policy might be a lot of things, but if these guys think the Chinese will be any better than the USA then they've been sampling too much of their own stuff!!

**Ouze**

The United States policy on Cuba is equal parts perplexing and embarrassing.

**dogma**

Without a dramatic, and conciliatory, change in US policy regarding Latin America the OAS will fall apart within 20 years. This would be bad, in my view, for much the same reason cited in the article: China.

The problem is that Florida stands in the way, and further that any hint that the US might not be a superpower anymore is perceived by the US electorate as weakness.

Its funny, actually, because when watching the most recent GoT in which Balon called Theon weak for preferring the solution which required less death I thought: "What an apt metaphor for the US."

**purplefood**

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
I can assure American members on this site of British support as the Latin American countries have been backing Argentina over the Falklands. So the dream team of London and Washington will continue.

Chile are still on our side aren't they?
IIRC they detest Argentina to the utmost...

**Mr Hyena**

Anything that hurts Argentina or annoys them is good. So...I'd side with America's current policy here.

**Huffy**

dogma wrote:Without a dramatic, and conciliatory, change in US policy regarding Latin America the OAS will fall apart within 20 years. This would be bad, in my view, for much the same reason cited in the article: China.

The problem is that Florida stands in the way, and further that any hint that the US might not be a superpower anymore is perceived by the US electorate as weakness.
e
Its funny, actually, because when watching the most recent GoT in which Balon called Theon weak for preferring the solution which required less death I thought: "What an apt metaphor for the US."

Yeah, as I recall from a republican debate I heard something along the lines of "Iranians using cuba to stage attacks/invasion of the US"....also I love how the Brits here all focused on the bit about the falklands(I didn't even see it the first time I read through the article).

**Ouze**

Huffy wrote:Yeah, as I recall from a republican debate I heard something along the lines of "Iranians using cuba to stage attacks/invasion of the US"....also I love how the Brits here all focused on the bit about the falklands(I didn't even see it the first time I read through the article).

An Iranian attack on the US, far-fetched but sure, I guess it could happen. An Iranian invasion? Come on, how did whoever talking about this not get laughed off the stage? The entirety of Iran could fit comfortably in Alaska. We have 3 professional soldiers for every one of theirs currently enlisted; they're generally using technology 20 to 30 years behind us, their attack aircraft are Vietnam era; and for every dollar they spend on their military, we spend 61. It would be implausible for a Scyfy original movie, let alone as an actual possibility being bandied about by someone whom is being seriously considered by a substantial percentage of the country to be competent to be commander-in-chief.

**Frazzled**

Wait you mean the Mighty Iranian Pontoon boat navy is not a threat? How else can we justify refitting the mighty Alabama, New Jersey, Texas, and Missouri to cross the T on the Persian Menace?

**dogma**

Ouze wrote: Come on, how did whoever talking about this not get laughed off the stage?

I wasn't able to find evidence that it was said.

But, if that hypothetical person wasn't laughed off the stage, my argument that Americans are to blame for America is leant more credence.

**Zakiriel**

One of the biggest threats to our nation.

**Polvilhovoador**

Mr Hyena wrote:Anything that hurts Argentina or annoys them is good. So...I'd side with America's current policy here.

Don't bully the hermanos man!

**Exalted Pariah**

I gotta agree with Latin america though, its our drug addicts that pay for their drug cartels bills/bullets...

**Wolfstan**

Isn't it about time you guys eased up on Cuba? There's no Soviet nukes there and if you want to stop third parties becoming their next best friends, surely having a strong trade relationship with them would be the best thing? They need so much stuff it would give the US ecnomy a huge boost. I'm suprised no US Politician has looked at Cube, then Florida, wondered about the recession, but two & two together and gone "bingo!".

**Palindrome**

Exalted Pariah wrote:.....its our drug addicts that pay for their drug cartels bills/bullets...

In fairness it is America's inept and ill conceived 'war on drugs' that has led to tens of thousands of deaths in Latin America so that cuts both ways.

This is a sign of the times though, America's days as the premier world power are definitely numbered.

**Luco**

Wolfstan wrote:Isn't it about time you guys eased up on Cuba? There's no Soviet nukes there and if you want to stop third parties becoming their next best friends, surely having a strong trade relationship with them would be the best thing? They need so much stuff it would give the US ecnomy a huge boost. I'm suprised no US Politician has looked at Cube, then Florida, wondered about the recession, but two & two together and gone "bingo!".

He'll lose a lot of votes with the older generation of Cubans in Florida if he goes that route. Being so close to a port myself I'm sure it would help us out a lot though, but politics...meh.

**Albatross**

Palindrome wrote: America's days as the premier world power are definitely numbered.

See, I'd disagree with that. The USA will remain the world's most powerful country for quite some time yet. What will change is that it will no longer be a unipolar world; for the last few decades or so, the USA has been unparalleled (given the decline of the USSR). That will definitely change. They will have more rivals in years to come, and less of a free hand.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Polvilhovoador wrote:
Mr Hyena wrote:Anything that hurts Argentina or annoys them is good. So...I'd side with America's current policy here.

Don't bully the hermanos man!

Hey! We're not bullying anyone, we just want to maintain the status quo. They're the ones who want to change it. We have a right to defend our interests, and every reason to be defensive considering the fact that they invaded the Falklands 30 years ago.

**Frazzled**

Polvilhovoador wrote:
Mr Hyena wrote:Anything that hurts Argentina or annoys them is good. So...I'd side with America's current policy here.

Don't bully the hermanos man!

Don't assume that US policy is supportive of GB in this circumstance. I'm not saying I like it, I'm saying don't assume the old relationships are the same.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Wolfstan wrote:Isn't it about time you guys eased up on Cuba? There's no Soviet nukes there and if you want to stop third parties becoming their next best friends, surely having a strong trade relationship with them would be the best thing? They need so much stuff it would give the US ecnomy a huge boost. I'm suprised no US Politician has looked at Cube, then Florida, wondered about the recession, but two & two together and gone "bingo!".

I would have loved had he stood up and said he was dropping all trade and travel restrictions via executive order.
-course then he would have lost Florida...

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Palindrome wrote:
Exalted Pariah wrote:.....its our drug addicts that pay for their drug cartels bills/bullets...

In fairness it is America's inept and ill conceived 'war on drugs' that has led to tens of thousands of deaths in Latin America so that cuts both ways.

This is a sign of the times though, America's days as the premier world power are definitely numbered.

And you'll miss us. China is an altogether different super power.

**CptJake**

Wolfstan wrote:Isn't it about time you guys eased up on Cuba? There's no Soviet nukes there and if you want to stop third parties becoming their next best friends, surely having a strong trade relationship with them would be the best thing? They need so much stuff it would give the US ecnomy a huge boost. I'm suprised no US Politician has looked at Cube, then Florida, wondered about the recession, but two & two together and gone "bingo!".

What does Cuba have to trade? Sugar prices in the US are already subsidized. They could build up a tourist industry, but the region already has a crap ton of that. No real boost to the US economy because Cuba can't afford US goods and services at a level to make a difference. Seriously, if Cuba had the means to be a player in world trade, they would not need the US as a trade partner. Between Russia and now Venezuela their economy is a subsidized disaster and has been since sugar prices tanked.

**Palindrome**

Frazzled wrote:
And you'll miss us. China is an altogether different super power.

Different? yes. Worse? debatable.

The world could do without superpowers entirely and its also highly unlikely that China will be in the position of dominance that the US has held for the last couple of decades.

**Frazzled**

Palindrome wrote:
Frazzled wrote:
And you'll miss us. China is an altogether different super power.

Different? yes. Worse? debatable.

Really. I'm sure China will help you with that Argentina thing and fully suppotrtive of the next Libya, just like how they are incredibly helpful insolving the Syria and Iran problems no?

**Hazardous Harry**

Frazzled wrote:
Palindrome wrote:
Frazzled wrote:
And you'll miss us. China is an altogether different super power.

Different? yes. Worse? debatable.

Really. I'm sure China will help you with that Argentina thing and fully suppotrtive of the next Libya, just like how they are incredibly helpful insolving the Syria and Iran problems no?

Well, it's hard to get more fully supportive than "We're here to stay. Forever."

**dogma**

Frazzled wrote:
And you'll miss us. China is an altogether different super power.

Not really.

The only major distinction is that they don't pretend to endorse foreign democracy.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Frazzled wrote:I'm sure China will help you with that Argentina thing and fully suppotrtive of the next Libya, just like how they are incredibly helpful insolving the Syria and Iran problems no?

Syria and Iran are problems?

**Kanluwen**

Exalted Pariah wrote:I gotta agree with Latin america though, its our drug addicts that pay for their drug cartels bills/bullets...

And it's their government officials taking the bills from the drug cartels.
It's members of their military and police forces which moonlight as muscle for the cartels. Look at Los Zetas, as an example, to see what happens when trained military personnel realize that they can make oh so much more money trafficking in drugs than stopping them.

**Dark**

Sometimes one feels outta place 'ere /:

Thing is, down here we're not the piss poor countries we used to be, we're slowly developing our nations. I look at our neighbour Brazil with a healty envy, I lived there for about 2 years about 19 years ago and it was a hellish place, and look at them now... I wish my country went more on Brazil's path rather than Venezuela's.

**Samus_aran115**

Unsurprising.

**Frazzled**

Dark wrote:Sometimes one feels outta place 'ere /:

Thing is, down here we're not the piss poor countries we used to be, we're slowly developing our nations. I look at our neighbour Brazil with a healty envy, I lived there for about 2 years about 19 years ago and it was a hellish place, and look at them now... I wish my country went more on Brazil's path rather than Venezuela's.

Everything changes with time.

**Palindrome**

Frazzled wrote:
Palindrome wrote:
Frazzled wrote:
And you'll miss us. China is an altogether different super power.

Different? yes. Worse? debatable.

Really. I'm sure China will help you with that Argentina thing and fully supportive of the next Libya, just like how they are incredibly helpful insolving the Syria and Iran problems no?

Its not as if the US is a force for all that is good in the world. Its foreign policy is completely self serving, just like ever other countries.

I'm not saying that China would be a better superpower than the US, there probably won't be all that much difference to be honest.

We also don't need any help with the Argentina thing as there really isn't an Argentina thing.

**Albatross**

Frazzled wrote:
Polvilhovoador wrote:
Mr Hyena wrote:Anything that hurts Argentina or annoys them is good. So...I'd side with America's current policy here.

Don't bully the hermanos man!

Don't assume that US policy is supportive of GB in this circumstance. I'm not saying I like it, I'm saying don't assume the old relationships are the same.

Frazzled, why are you pretending to speak for the US government?

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Dark wrote:[color=Steelblue]Sometimes one feels outta place 'ere /:

Why? Speaking for myself, I don't have the slightest problem with the Argentinian people at all. Your government, on the other hand... Well, they're trying to pretend that the UK is encroaching on your territory, which is completely false, and just a nationalist sideshow to distract Argentinians from domestic issues. Just like last time. Unlike last time, their won't be war betwen our countries. The UK doesn't want it, and Argentina can't afford it.

**Frazzled**

Albatross wrote:
Frazzled wrote:
Polvilhovoador wrote:
Mr Hyena wrote:Anything that hurts Argentina or annoys them is good. So...I'd side with America's current policy here.

Don't bully the hermanos man!

Don't assume that US policy is supportive of GB in this circumstance. I'm not saying I like it, I'm saying don't assume the old relationships are the same.

Frazzled, why are you pretending to speak for the US government?

Don't be daft. I'm not. If I were the BBC would be abuzz with pics of parchuting girl scouts landing in Toronto, and US "special advisors" having made it to the Panama Canal by now. Manifest Destiny, this time its vertical!