People in every region of the world are now asking themselves, ‘What will the election of President-elect Barack Obama mean to us?’
Continuing with our Brazilian work this evening, below is an article written in Brazil’s Estadao newspaper by one of that nation’s former foreign ministers, Luiz Felipe Lampreia. Lampreia looks around the region and issues his views on what is to come, touching on Mexico (closer, less abrasive ties), Colombia (things depend on whether Obama continues his tough rhetoric on Colombian human rights), Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia (a cool, wait and see attitude with all three), Cuba (possible early breakthrough) and of course Brazil.
“Elected by a landslide and carrying the hopes of America, Barack Obama will soon begin to reveal his priorities on international relations for the United States. What place will Latin America have in these priorities? One shouldn’t expect our region to be on the list of his immediate priorities, but for a number of reasons, I think there’ll be significant progress in comparison to the lamentable legacy of George W. Bush, who frustrated the great expectations that he had created in our region at the beginning of his mandate.”
By Luiz Felipe Lampreia*
Translated By Brandi Miller
November 15, 2008
Brazil – Estadao – Original Article (Portuguese)
Elected by a landslide and carrying the hopes of America, Barack Obama will soon begin to reveal his priorities on international relations for the United States. What place will Latin America have in these priorities? One shouldn’t expect our region to be on the list of his immediate priorities, but for a number of reasons, I think there’ll be significant progress in comparison to the lamentable legacy of George W. Bush, who frustrated the great expectations that he had created in our region at the beginning of his mandate.
Latin America is today, more than ever, an important partner for the United States: as a supplier of oil, and potentially, biofeuls, as a market for exports and investment for large North American corporations, and as the point of origin for a growing portion of the American population. Remember that Obama won 57 percent of the Latino vote in Florida, which represents a structural change in a state traditionally dominated by Cuban-American voters who have always voted more conservatively. On the other hand, in Latin America today there are some of the most aggressive anti-American leaders.
So what on our continent should be the central focus of attention for the Obama government?
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