The US needs to loosen up and learn to love Latin America’s new generation of center-left leaders. Tabaré Vázquez has taken over as Uruguay’s first ever-socialist president. He invited the leftish presidents of Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela to his inauguration party. He announced an independent foreign policy, renewed diplomatic relations with Cuba and policies “to benefit those who need to achieve life with dignity.” That may sound scary to investors and the government of George W Bush.
In fact, Latin America has moved on and it’s time Washington realized it. First, Brazil and Chile – Latin America’s most successful economies – are both run by leftists. Second, most other governments are following orthodox economic policies but keep their rank and file happy with anti-American foreign policies. Third and most importantly, they see market-friendly policies as the key to growth. Their grip on power depends on creating jobs and raising incomes. No one has forgotten that rioters have driven five presidents from office since 2000. The US must help, not hinder Latin America’s search for growth and stability. It should stop punishing governments with independent foreign policies, scrap its unwinnable war on drugs and open up to free trade. Vázquez said in his inauguration speech: “I swear to work tirelessly for the prosperity of the Uruguayan people.” Washington should make that its mission too.