COLUMN: JUST WHAT LATIN AMERICA NEEDED -- A NEW ARMS RACE
When key U.S. and Latin American policy makers met at The Miami Herald's Americas Conference last week, some of them raised eyebrows by raising an old issue they said is coming back -- a regional arms race.
''Latin America has begun a new arms race,'' Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias told the conference's opening night. In a later interview, he told me what should be done about it. Read the full column here. What do YOU think?
''Latin America has begun a new arms race,'' Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias told the conference's opening night. In a later interview, he told me what should be done about it. Read the full column here. What do YOU think?
posted by Andres Oppenheimer at 8:49 AM
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True, beyond Latin America's left turn, there is a worrisome regional trend most analysts are overseeing: regional militarization.
A military build-up has taken place since the US lifted a ban to sale high-tech weapons in 2002.
Only in 2005 Colombia received close to US$ 643.3 million in American military and police aid.
Brazilian Air Force is investing heavily in modernization. Imports by the force increased by 177.5% in the first half of 2005 compared to the same period last year. That translates in US$ 34 billion in purchases for that period and a 20% increase from 2004. All due to the Brazilian Air Force Operational Recovery Program (PROFAB) implemented since 2002. Brazil already has the strongest regional air force.
Chile is buying 10 brand new F16 aircraft from the US and 18 second hand F16 from Holland for a total investment of US$745 million. Other ongoing Chilean acquisitions include two Spanish-French submarines, eight used Dutch-British war ships from Britain and 100 German Leopard tanks.
Venezuela is importing 100,000 Russian Kalashnikov assault rifles, and may import as any as 400,000 AK-47s. There are plans to buy up to 50 Russian MIG fighter aircraft. In addition, the regime is purchasing military hardware from Spain. Venezuela has also expressed interest in the development of nuclear energy for purely “peaceful purposes”. Some sales have been blocked by the US but Venezuela government will eventually get his military gear from other nations.
Sergey Svenchnikov, a representative from Russian state arms company Rosoboroneksport, put it this way in a recent visit to a weapons fair in Buenos Aires: "These countries' requirements for modern weapons are considerable. This is because the armed forces of most of the countries of this region intend to renew their armaments and military hardware in the very near future."
Today's column left me scratching my head. You clearly made the case that Latin America actually underfunds its militaries compared to much of the world. The region is the lowest spender as a percentage of GDP. Chile, Brasil or Peru buying new fighters or armored vehicles hardly constitutes an arms race since they are replacing obsolete equipment that is being retired and their numbers hardly constitute any type of strategic threat to anyone. May I ask that we take a look at the peacekeeping force in Haiti who as we know are mainly composed of Latin American armies and ask if they need less funding and equipment.
With all due respect to President Arias Sanchez, his proposed solution is wishful thinking. Arming itself and prepare to defend its sovereignty is a legitimate function of government. Granted Latin American governments have less to worry about the intentions of their neighbors. This explains why they spend so much less on defense! But while we're on that subject let's be specific; does he actually propose that Colombia abolish its army? That Mr. Oppenheimer would be immoral! Disclaimer: I am Puert Rican living in Florida and have never been a soldier. Colombia has a moral obligation to defend its population against armed thugs who have no problem with murdering its own compatriates. Does President Arias actually propose Colombians surrender to the FARC thugs? President Uribe is right by fighting to win and if they want to negotiate the Colombian government will do it from a position of strength. If it takes ample help from the US, so be it.
The military as an institution has been discredited, underfunded and mistrusted in most Latin American countries over the past 20 years in many cases for obvious reasons. In terms of priorities defense already is and has been a low priority. If Haiti turns out to be a successful mission (despite its bumpy ride, so far so good!) this could be an indication how Latin American armies can be transformed and become institutions with a positive reputation and relevant in todays world. I certainly hope to see more Lain American armies being deployed to peacekeeping duties around the world. Maybe they will go with a reputation for good interoperability, professional/experienced leadership and a good track record (assuming the Haiti mission completes successfully). This will raise the profile of each country's foreign policy and give the armed forces meaning and purpose in this age. For this they need funding, training, leadership and public trust. Unfortunately the outlook doesn't look very promising here. Argentina its too busy making sure its current armed forces pay for the crimes and mistakes of its past members. This is the classic case of neglect and underfunding I'm refering to. In Brasil it looks better but underfunding is still an issue. Mexico could and should look at given its armed forces a better profile. Needless to say Cuba and Venzuela are a case apart. These armies are being or have been transformed to mere ideological toys at the service of miguided and ignorant leadership.
Mr. Oppenheimer please do your part to present an alternative, positive view of Latin America's armed forces. Ignoring and underunding them is not the answer. Abolishing them would b e criminal in some cases. Thank you.
Today's column left me scratching my head. You clearly made the case that Latin America actually underfunds its militaries compared to much of the world. The region is the lowest spender as a percentage of GDP. Chile, Brasil or Peru buying new fighters or armored vehicles hardly constitutes an arms race since they are replacing obsolete equipment that is being retired and their numbers hardly constitute any type of strategic threat to anyone. May I ask that we take a look at the peacekeeping force in Haiti who as we know are mainly composed of Latin American armies and ask if they need less funding and equipment.
With all due respect to President Arias Sanchez, his proposed solution is wishful thinking. Arming itself and prepare to defend its sovereignty is a legitimate function of government. Granted Latin American governments have less to worry about the intentions of their neighbors. This explains why they spend so much less on defense! But while we're on that subject let's be specific; does he actually propose that Colombia abolish its army? That Mr. Oppenheimer would be immoral! Disclaimer: I am Puert Rican living in Florida and have never been a soldier. Colombia has a moral obligation to defend its population against armed thugs who have no problem with murdering its own compatriates. Does President Arias actually propose Colombians surrender to the FARC thugs? President Uribe is right by fighting to win and if they want to negotiate the Colombian government will do it from a position of strength. If it takes ample help from the US, so be it.
The military as an institution has been discredited, underfunded and mistrusted in most Latin American countries over the past 20 years in many cases for obvious reasons. In terms of priorities defense already is and has been a low priority. If Haiti turns out to be a successful mission (despite its bumpy ride, so far so good!) this could be an indication how Latin American armies can be transformed and become institutions with a positive reputation and relevant in todays world. I certainly hope to see more Lain American armies being deployed to peacekeeping duties around the world. Maybe they will go with a reputation for good interoperability, professional/experienced leadership and a good track record. This will raise the profile of each country's foreign policy and give the armed forces meaning and purpose in this age. For this they need funding, training, leadership and public trust. Unfortunately the outlook doesn't look very promising here. Argentina its too busy making sure its current armed forces pay for the crimes and mistakes of its past members. This is the classic case of neglect and underfunding I'm refering to. In Brasil it looks better but underfunding is still an issue. Mexico could and should look at given its armed forces a better profile. Needless to say Cuba and Venzuela are a case apart. These armies are being or have been transformed to mere ideological toys at the service of miguided and ignorant leadership.
Mr. Oppenheimer please do your part to present an alternative, positive view of Latin America's armed forces. Ignoring and underunding them is not the answer. Abolishing them would b e criminal in some cases. Thank you.
In order to strength their economies G8 countries (USA, Russia, Germany, Japan, China, England, France and Canada) are selling more and more weapons.
Middle east is a clear example. Hezbollah and Hamas are fighting with Russian guns and Israel with Americans weapons. The real winners are USA and Russia!!!
In Latin America, we have differents situations:
Chile: They spend by law the 10% of their cupper earning in military arms. As another commodities the copper price is very high.
Venezuela: With trillons of dollars in oil reserves and a Bush ruling USA, even a Sister of Mercy would strength Venezuela's army. Is not a left or right decition, is just common sence.
Colombia: Uribe is a just a Bush soldier. Can we expect a different scenario?
Despite these situations, some good things are happening. Brazil, Argentina and Chile have scheduled commons military exercises, and are working together with the UN in Haiti.
This union could become our contribution to the regional peace.
Greetings.
Ruben P.
Rosario - Argentina
The irony embedded in an apparent arms race is that the threat to these nations - Venezuela, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia - is not at the nation-state level, where conventional weapons would serve well to defend national security. Transnational criminal enterprises such as Venezuela's National Guard, Colombia's FARC and AUC, Brazil's Red Command and First Capital Command, and Mexican drug traffickers in Peru and Bolivia, are the real threat to national security. Conventional weapons bought by nation-states are a waste of money. Yes, money must be spent on education and other development needs, but more attention needs to be placed on the very real presence of organized crime and its ability to rot countries from the inside out.
Ruben, Your countries, with all their poverty, increase their military spending and you blame it on the US?
I guess the greed and avarice of your leaders is the gringo's fault too? In fact, is there anything you can't blame on the evil gringo?
Ohh sorry Gabriel. You are right!!!. Our intellectuals and politicians only blame and United State has never used the force against Latin America.
Mexico, Puerto Rico, Grenada, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, Haiti, Cuba, Honduras, Dominicana, El Salvador, Virgin Islands and Guatemala are just few isolated examples of USA invasions.
Take an advice: read more about Latin America history.
I recommend you "The open veins..." by Eduardo Galeano.
Regards.
Ruben P.
Rosario - Argentina
Gabriel,what are you talking about?
Do you have any idea of what is to
be in a US invasion of your country???
I lived that in 1989 and it was
horrible.My entire neighborhood was
torn down by the american bombs,November 20,1989.Many of my neighbors died and
some of them,we never heard from them. Their bodies never were
recovered.
On top of that,there was no food,
no water,and we had to live for
almost 2 years in shelters.
Is that you call your good U.S.A?Using the military force against
innocent countries like mine?
Gabriel,maybe you never have
lived an american invasion or
never had lived in Latin America
under those conditions.That is
why you talk like that.
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