Multipolarity in Latin America?

By
Alejo Vargas Velásquez                                                    Read Spanish Version

From
ARGENPRESS

Latin
America traditionally has been a unipolar region in terms of
security, inasmuch as, from the late 19th Century, the United States
consolidated as the emerging power and was the only pole of
influence. Also, throughout the 20th Century, security in the region
was subjected to U.S. oversight both during the Cold War and the
post-Cold War.

Things
apparently began to change some time ago, long before the
participation of Russian ships (including the nuclear cruiser Peter
the Great) in maneuvers with the Venezuelan Navy.

Beginning
in 1998, with the election (especially in South America) of
governments considered to be leftist, the unconditionality of the
past began to change. Neither in the Organization of American States
nor in the regular conferences of defense ministers has there been
any obsequiousness to the positions stated by Washington, although
this does not imply a policy of confrontation against the U.S.

Yes,
Russia is interested in resuming a presence in the region greater
than the one the Soviet Union had with Cuba during the Cold War, when
it also sold some weapons to Peru. Even though Russia remains weak,
it is interested in becoming an important arms supplier to countries
that have problems with the United States and therefore are the
subject of some sort of U.S. veto, like Venezuela now, and eventually
Bolivia and Ecuador.

Russia
wants to strengthen trade relations with Peru in the field of
armaments and become a strategic partner to Brazil in its process of
rearming its Armed Forces. And, of course, Russia wants to strengthen
trade relations with its old ally, Cuba, particularly now that there
is a possibility that oil will be found in the Caribbean basin. Add
to this a bit of ‘revanchism’ for the U.S. presence on Russian
borders, especially in terms of the crisis in Georgia and the
expansion of NATO.

To
the above we must add China’s “soft power,” which, on the basis
of its economic dynamism, seeks a greater presence in the region,
making investments and buying raw materials for its swift economic
growth, always avoiding to generate fears among its new partners or
the United States. Of course, Brazil, which is increasingly looking
to become ‘a Major Leagues player,’ has taken a big step in that
direction, with the approval of the UNASUR countries in the South
American Defense Council.

What
may generate the most questions and doubts is the presence of Iran,
at this time linked to Venezuela because of their interests as
oil-producing countries. Iran also appears to desire closer economic
ties – as a weapons provider – with Bolivia, Ecuador and
Paraguay.

This
could be the beginning of a multipolar scenario in the region, or in
the temporary presence of new global actors before the United States
can reaffirm its hegemonic stance in the region. But the eventual
scenario is still uncertain.

Alejo
Vargas Velásquez is a university professor.