The Heritage Foundation-Executive Summary Report

On March 13, 2006 The Heritage Foundation released an Executive Summary outlining what in their opinion should be the commitment of the United States towards Latin America. I highly recommend reading it:

U.S.-Latin America Ties Need Commitment and Strategy" by Stephen Johnson - The Heritage Foundation.

Some key points in the report include:

- Strengthening the Organization of American States
- Strengthen citizen control of political parties
- Foster free markets
- Improve security through regional cooperation

To meet these objectives the United States should:

- State clear objectives and goals
- Eliminate barriers to better ties : introduce reforms so agencies can be more effective in providing aid and awards to countries to boost the beneficial impact in these countries.
- Revive public diplomacy efforts : creating people-to-people diplomacy by creating Academic exchange program for working class and indigenous students, books for libraries, and civic education teaching material.

On Venezuela it would behoove politicians to listen to this particular statement in the report:

"U.S. diplomats must avoid responding to Hugo Chávez’s provocations, which he uses to show followers that he can bully other countries."

Personally I think any US policy engagement with Latin America will not take hold easily, for the simple reason that Bush is not very popular in the region. Hence they are going to avoid him and the US like the plague, so any overt and public engagement will likely have to wait until the next president in 2008. At the same time Chavez is becoming ever more unpopular among Latin American governments (also here). Is Latin America becoming a new pro/anti-communist battle ground? Unfortunately most countries and people are uninterested in this battle that is being sparked by Chavez and Fidel. So again:

"U.S. diplomats must avoid responding to Hugo Chávez’s provocations, which he uses to show followers that he can bully other countries."

On an interesting note:

Venezuelans have often wondered what is the role of Chavez once Fidel dies, in other words who will rule Cuba? Well I will end this post with this interesting bit that I did not know, although it has been widely rumored:

"Anticipating that eventuality, Fidel has named his brother, First Vice President and Minister of the Armed Forces Raúl Castro, as his successor. However, Raúl is uncharismatic, aging, and reportedly an alcoholic. Cuban Vice-President Carlos Lage suggested a curious alternative during a visit by Hugo Chávez in October 2005—co-rule of Cuba by Venezuelan President Chávez—but that seems unlikely given Cuban national pride."