Happy families?

It is not just the absence of Cuba from this weekend’s Summit of the Americas, which makes this a difficult family reunion.

Anglo America and Latin America are very much like bickering siblings. For its part Latin America’s leaders resent the continued power of their Anglo American brother. The elder brother (Anglo America) for its part has perhaps been quick to overlook its sibling.

This weekend is not going to resolve these ‘family’ tensions but it can certainly start that process. En route to the summit, Obama talked about ‘listening and learning’ as well as ‘talking’.

His ‘Cubanisation’ policy would certainly lend weight to these words. But it is early days yet.

Like the Cuban question, this family rift, is not going to be resolved by warm words, but concrete actions. Given the size and diversity of Latin America only some of these possible concrete actions will be discussed.

As far as the drugs wars in Columbia and Mexico are concerned, warm words will not stop the disorder and destruction that is caused within those borders and beyond. The US should send bodies and not just banknotes. It is understandable that the US does not want to become embroiled in another ‘Vietnamire’. But nor should the US want to see those countries ‘Afghanisised’. That is what they risk if they do not intervene more visibly now.

At the other end of the continent, it is not enough for the US to make oral pronouncements about Brazil’s important regional and international role. It should back Brazil’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN’s Security Council and take all other necessary steps to support a buoyant Brazil.

Yet the rift will not be healed without a dialogue. America is an invaluable component in Latin American security and prosperity, but it is not the whole solution. Latin American nations should seriously consider a Latin American Union (LAN) and South Atlantic Treaty Organisation (SATO). Only Latin America can achieve long-term stability for itself. However any organisational initiatives should not be undertaken defensively (i.e. against the US) but offensively.

After the summit smiles and handshakes, let the healing and hard work begin.