Inter-American Relations in the Age of Trump: How the U.S. Is Losing Its Grip on Its Volatile “Backyard”

Authors : Nicolas Alexander BECKMANN

Pages : 83-104

View : 20 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 2019-10-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Since the early 19th century, the U.S. has exerted strong political and economic  influence over Latin America. The painful experiences of the Cold War, when  the U.S. supported military dictatorships across the region, and assisted anticommunist  forces in Central America, left deep scars in Latin America’s collective  memory. This article claims that while the Obama administration undertook a  series of measures to re-establish some trust, Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric  against immigrants from Latin America, his Cuba Policy, and his threat of using  military force in Venezuela have reinforced a negative image of the U.S. It also  argues that threats of budget cuts for foreign aid and a protectionist trade policy are  undermining the U.S. capacity to exert influence on its southern neighbours. This  will most likely bring the region closer to China and other extra-regional powers,  which have been increasing their profile there in recent years. 
Keywords : U S foreign policy, Latin America, Cuba, Venezuela, war on drugs