Is the United States Losing Ground in Central and South America?

Abstract

The Spanish-American War made possible an important reorientation of the traditions of Spain, Latin America, and the United States. With the conclusion of the empire, Spain could forget its martial past, the nations of Latin America were obliged to find their own course, and the United States became engaged anew in European affairs. Over time, Latin America's early admiration for the democratic United States gave way to fear and concern for the violence to which they have been or are potentially subject. The present military involvement of the United States in the Central American nations is best seen in the light of this evolution. A crucial problem that is shared by both Latin America and the United States today is the traffic in drugs. If treated as an opportunity for positive cooperation and change, even for the restructuring of important aspects of our societies, this dire problem may serve to bring the two Americas together in mutual and genuine respect.

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References

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