Mr. Bush in Latin America

I've been following President Bush's trip to Latin America this past week. It has been quite interesting to see the host Presidents vying for Bush's attention like a long lost lover. Even Lula from Brazil has rolled the red carpet and had nothing but kind words for him. I am not naive, I know money talks. But don't these Latin American Presidents see what the rest of the world sees?

Here is a President who has treated the entire world with contempt. In his view, national or international laws do not apply to him or his government. He has sent our troops to the Middle East like it was his own backyard. You don't agree with him? You must be an unholy terrorist plotting against us!

In his contempt for the world and his intent to have oil producing countries under his thumb, he has forgotten about Latin America. Ever since 9/11, Latin America has been an afterthought in his agenda. Why court them now? Has he finally realized that while his focus was in the Middle East (read, oil countries), Latin Americans have finally come to the realization that US sponsored governments have brought nothing but misery to their countries? While meddling with Arab countries, Mr. Bush forgot to provide Latin America with their daily bread and circus. Thus, Latin Americans opened their eyes and started voting for left inclining Presidents such as Lula, Chavez and Ortega.

Bush has been received by loud protests in every single Latin American country he has visited, presidential red carpets notwithstanding. The people are tired of being the North's backwater. They now have the option of change. Even if the changes attained are not in the countries' best interests, changes are being implemented without the US government's interference.

Latin American Presidents may be caught up in the game of politics, but the people have received Bush with eyes wide open. There is no such thing as a free meal when it comes to US-Latin American politics. As a matter of fact, there is no longer such a thing as US-World politics. Because wherever Bush goes or meddles with, people are no longer opening their arms in hopes of salvation. They are running the other way to obtain salvation. Latin America is no exception. They know there is no compassion in Bush's conservativism. Not anymore.

Copyright 2007.