Obama and Columbia: Choose Wisely
There is a potential storm brewing on the southern rim of the Caribbean Basin. Its degree of severity depends on whether the Obama regime changes tack and embraces Columbia's newly-elected President Santos, or continues in its Appeasement Tour of the local bullies.
This past Sunday, Juan Manuel Santos was overwhelmingly elected with nearly 70 percent of the vote as the Republic of Columbia's newest leader. President-elect Santos' victory in and of itself was not remarkable, but the fact that he campaigned on a pro-free-market, pro-American platform was.
Why remarkable? Because recently, a few countries deep within the Latin American sphere have developed a rejuvenated affinity for sociofascism, despotic rule, and an uncomfortable chumminess with Iran, Russia, and Communist China.
Furthermore, it is no secret that the Obama regime treated Columbia's former president, the pro-American and hugely popular Alvaro Uribe, with what can only modestly be described as persona non grata aloofness. This while financially aiding Brazil socialist Lula da Silva on behalf of George Soros, and courting Venezuelan despot Hugo Chavez, Ecuadorian strongman Rafael Correa, and the murderous regime of Communist Cuba.
One mustn't forget Obama's embrace and support of Honduras socialist Manual Zelaya (Chavez's hand-picked acolyte) and his attempt to illegally seize power over Honduran constitutional rule of law. Nor his snub of steadfast ally Great Britain in their latest threat from Argentina President Christina Kirchner over the Falkland Islands. And as to his back-stabbing of Israel, Poland, Georgia, and the Czech Republic -- they will be addressed at another time.
What on God's green Earth is Obama doing? These recent actions are troubling -- especially since they emanate from an American president who by definition should never aid and abet by word or deed those hostile to the United States or its friends. Thus far, Obama has chosen poorly. Why?
Choices
According to a surprising article in The Washington Post, usually a staunch cheerleader for liberals in general and Obama in particular:
Juan Manuel Santos has demonstrated that pro-American, pro-free-market politicians still have life in Latin America. Mr. Santos, who romped to victory in Colombia's presidential runoff on Sunday, has no interest in courting Iran, unlike Brazil's Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva. He has rejected the authoritarian socialism of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. A former journalist with degrees from the University of Kansas and Harvard, he values free media and independent courts. His biggest priority may be ratifying and implementing a free-trade agreement between Colombia and the United States.
So the question raised by Mr. Santos's election is whether the Obama administration and Democratic congressional leaders will greet this strong and needed U.S. ally with open arms -- or with the arms-length disdain and protectionist stonewalling to which they subjected his predecessor, Alvaro Uribe.
And of course there are questions because no one knows upon which side of the fence the fickle Obama regime will alight.
The election of a popular President Santos offers Obama a fresh start with Columbia as well as a chance to begin changing world opinion of his seemingly inept grasp of foreign policy and diplomatic aplomb. Thus far, Obama's Secretary of State has uttered all the right words, but it is those pesky future deeds that will tell the tale.
Americans, Columbians, and freedom-loving people everywhere are hoping that Obama finally chooses wisely.
Hype and Chains for 130 more days.