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
