The Election -- Relations with Latin America

During the last four years, president Obama has tried to become friends with the leftists of South America. Hugo Chavez of Venezuela was the first recipient of an Obama charm offensive. That was followed by an attempt to charm the leader of Bolivia, another confirmed leftist. Even relations with Cuba were pushed towards a reconcilliation with that country's government. The summary of this four year effort by Obama can be described with one word: failure. Chavez is still doing everything he can to stick his finger in the eye of the United States. Venezuela is the biggest supporter of Iran in its efforts to become a nuclear power. Chavez has also supported terrorist organizations. Bolivia has done much the same although to a lesser extent since Bolivia has no oil revenues on which to rely. Castro's Cuba pretty much laughed at Obama's efforts at warming relations. Obama has made clear that he plans to continue down this road to failure in relations with Latin America if he is re-elected.

Mitt Romney has not emphasized relations with Latin America in his campaign. He has made clear, however, that he will not push for warm relationships with any country that supports terrorists. That would rule out Venezuala and a few others. Romney has also made clear that he would push for a special effort at increasing trade with Latin America. He says that South America presents a natural market for American goods since we have a major advantage in shipping expenses for sales there compared to other world economic powers. Obama did nothing regarding trade with South America aside from delaying the trade agreement that Bush signed with Colombia for three years before finally presenting it to the senate for ratification.