Uruguay Joins the socialist counterrevolution in Latin America

The new socialist president of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Tabare Vazquez becomes another thorn in Bush’s backside!

As President Bush is busy making over the world in his image of democracy, countries in his own backyard are defying allegiance to his hemispheric leadership. The latest is Uruguay which this week inaugurated its president, Tabare Vazquez, amidst a frenzy of socialist counterrevolutionary euphoria and jubilation.

Vazquez is an unapologetic leftist who flaunted his communist bona fides by having the old lions of the movement stand front and center at his coronation. These included Brazil’s Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and Argentina’s Nestor Kirchner. Conspicuously absent, however, was the lion in winter himself, Fidel Castro. His emissary, Cuba’s foreign minister, cited a sudden onset of ill-health for Castro’s last minute cancellation. Nevertheless, Castro is so revered for his longevity as a socialist vanguard that the inauguration was held, virtually, under his auspices. Indeed, with almost religious fealty to Castro, Vazquez celebrated his first official act as President by restoring full diplomatic relations with Cuba (further isolating the United States in its irrational refusal to deal with Cuba – as it woos China and Russia).

Of course, this socialist insurgency must be especially vexing to Bush. Especially since Uruguay was long considered one of America’s staunchest (anti-communist) allies in Latin America. After all, Bush has staked his legacy on the flourishing of capitalist economies and democracies – American style – around the globe. Yet, he seems impotent to affect the left-leaning course that so many countries in his own neighborhood are pursing. And even Mexico, America’s old mistress, is behaving like a spurned lover (on Iraq, for example, by embracing – of all suitors – Chirac of France against Bush’s dire wishes).

But, with the notable exception of Cuba (which remains anachronistically totalitarian), each of these socialist governments was elected in free and fair elections (sanctioned and certified by international observers). And, they appear to have found in China and Russia sympathetic godfathers competing to dote on them and all too eager to provide a political, economic and military shield against America’s continuing influence and interference. (see China Buying Political Dominion over the Caribbean for analysis of political implications)

Incidentally, lest anyone is tempted to cast aspersions on these countries for their disaffection with America, consider that for all of them, the affection was never reciprocal. Indeed, for the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, America has been a mostly overbearing, self-interested and menacing presence. Therefore, just as we have an innate appreciation for the summary abandonment of Russia by former Soviet republics (that jumped at the first secure opportunity to get from under the boot of the USSR), so too should we appreciate the eagerness of these countries to breathe free of the domineering vortex of the USA.

So, what is Bush to do?

Frankly, his options are limited; and, that may be a blessing in disguise. Because, notwithstanding their anti-American posturing, these countries have, in fact, followed Bush’s own prescription for economic and political freedom. Therefore, it would be a mistake for him to use covert operations to undermine their governments (as former Presidents from Eisenhower to Clinton did with disastrous consequences).

It may prove an ironic and vexing lesson, but Bush may find that many “freedom loving people” around the world have no love lost for America and are not all desirous of governments formed in his democratic image.

News and Politics