Americas Quarterly

: Go Beyond Free Trade.

r. president-elect, on be- convert unemployed citizens half of the many Nicaraguan into active producers and con-citizens who believe in democ- sumers, provide universal ac-racy, we hope your entrance cess to education, create solid to the White House will open middle classes and—in the a new era of fruitful relation- process—establish more inclu-ships between the United sive democracies.

States and Latin America. After The U.S. could have a simi-
many years of abandonment larly significant impact on the
and disregard toward Latin development of Latin America
America, I am sure this will be if it were to rethink and focus
welcomed in the region. It will its trade and development pol-
be particularly welcomed in icies towards the region. Doing
Nicaragua, a country torn by so would bring greater re-
dictatorship and war for most gional stability.
of the twentieth century. Latin America could have a
Latin American governments very active role as a true eco-
and citizens must focus on nomic partner with the United
solidifying their democracies States. Our countries south of
and fostering rapid economic the Rio Grande have the nec-
progress with social justice. essary resources to become
With the support of the United the bread basket for the world,
States we can undertake these with high potential for produc-
challenges effectively. ing grains, meat, fish, poultry,

To do this, the U.S. should and even clean biofuels ( partic-learn from the European ularly sugar cane ethanol). Our Union’s (EU) solidarity with, countries can also be the sec-and support for, the once less- ond home for thousands of U.S. developed nations of Spain citizens looking for friendly and Portugal. Only a few de- places to spend their vacations cades ago, Spain and Portu- and build retirement homes. gal were as poor as many Latin Politically, Latin America American countries. But ad- can also be an important part-mission to the EU drastically ner for the United States. A reduced their poverty by pro- good model would be the cre-viding the Iberian countries ation of a bipartisan commis-access to comprehensive de- sion, comprising prominent velopment and trade assis- U.S. and Latin American lead-tance, which in turn helped to ers, which could explore ways

of developing a partnership.

Nevertheless, U.S. policy in recent years has not demonstrated a serious commitment to this region. Despite congressional approval of DR-CAFTA and trade agreements with Chile and Peru, Latin Americans are still waiting to see the benefits of a solid alliance with United States. In the absence of significant reductions in poverty or advancements in economic development, hopes for real change have started to fade.

The region’s economic stagnation has been reflected in the desire of millions of Latin Americans to migrate illegally to the United States. The best way to reduce the push of immigration is to promote the development of local economies in Latin America.

Building walls between the United States and the rest of the continent will only force desperate Latin Americans to take riskier paths. And more deportations will simply increase activity on the border, because those who crossed it once are likely to try again. A more humanitarian and effective way of solving the immigration problem would be to promote economic and social development in all of our countries.