Once upon a
time in a democratic country a demagogue rose to power with high popular
support. He had a mandate to carry out drastic changes to ultimately eradicate
those elements in society that subjugated millions of innocent civilians to
violence, misery and poverty. This character became a Messiah with wisdom,
courage and values that no other previous president had demonstrated.
One
constitution change and a re-election later the president continued with high
popular support as a result of an apparent alleviation of society’s ailments.
However, the means that this leader utilized to reach such ends emerged to be a
double-edge sword that commenced to erode people’s freedom and altered
society’s sense of justice. At the current pace this leader appears to be
leading the country to more misery, violence and poverty that had ever existed
before. Yet, the masses continue turning a blind an eye to such excesses that
threat the same political fabric that permitted his re-election. This
omniscient man has decided to update the constitution once again in order to
perpetuate his power and continue disseminating his double standards.
Who is this
description alluding to? This depiction would certainly fit many rulers that,
at first instance, have encapsulated the hope of millions, but eventually
emerged to be just a mirage of illusions that only the thirst of justice could
have induced. The patriot in this narrative depicts not one but two characters,
the Colombian and Venezuelan president. Uribe and Chavez are poles apart in
terms of ideology and personality, yet they embody the same disregard for
democratic values and the respect for institutions. These two nemeses are what
Obama referred in his speech as being in the wrong side of history. Both are
clinging to power through corruption and deceit.
Obama asserted
that those thirsty for power, who were ready to unclench their fist, could
expect a helping hand from him. The question, therefore, is whether Obama would
use the same criteria to judge these two caudillos that are similarly clinging
to power. Obama recently stated that Chavez had been a destabilizing force in
the region that had hampered progress. Yet, Uribe has not been the target of
such rants from Obama, in fact the opposite has occurred. For instance, Hoyer, the House of Representatives majority
leader, insisted in the overwhelming
benefit that the FTA would have in both nations. He went on to state that Colombia would
remain a valued partner for years to come. Echoing another congressman, Rangel,
who stated that Obama wants to work together with both parties for the
ratification of the current signed FTAs. Obama has barely unpacked his
suitcases and disinfected the white house before a bias criteria appears to
have been taken.
It can be
expected that Uribe’s government Human Rights violations, close ties with
right-wing paramilitary groups, increasing number of extra-judicial killings,
innocent peasant’s displacement and naturally his clinging to power will be
overlooked by Obama. The USA
is more willing to permit gross violations to the democratic values that
they claim to defend by a close ally that obediently follows their whims than a
very similar demagogue that has stood his ground towards neo-colonialism. In
sum foreign policy in the US
would continue to be devise by the interest of the elite.
Author Sebastian Castaneda is Colombian studies psychology and political economy at the University of Hong Kong
