On Globlization

The Strait of Hormuz is a  small body of water that has recently been making big headlines. The US and Iranian navies, have been flexing their proverbial muscles in attempts to prove they have more control over it.  On September 18, The US moved more than twenty ships into the thirty-nine kilometer body of water, as a warning to Iran not to close the strait, if Israel does indeed attack its nuclear program.  Later in the week, Iran let it be known their naval-forces tested missiles in that water, as way to prove they that have the capability it close it. Some may wonder why this is significant. Oil is the answer. Twenty percent of the world’s petroleum comes from this strait.  No access to the Strait of Hormuz would mean no, or very expensive oil for North America, and of course, that would have grave economic consequences.  If one watches mainstream media he or she could get the idea that the US is trapped in two wars because the Middle East’s monopoly on this precious resource. The good news is, some people, including Miguel Angel Centro, the author of the article, “Left Behind” would argue that, the Middle East’s monopoly on oil is fiction, and that it is just one of the many reasons, the U.S. needs to pay closer attention to Central and South America.     Others include our problems with illegal drugs and illicit arms and most importantly, the health of thousands of people.

 Centro begins article by warning readers about the affects of ignoring and avoiding globalization.  He says that nobody can help but need resources and aid from other countries. Therefore, it is in the best interest of all nations to ensure that they do not rely too greatly on any country. He is adamant that is essential that the US government diversify its interests and that Latin America would be a wonderful ally to have in this global race to the top. Whether we like it or not, he says, were competing with the same powers: the European and Pacific countries that in terms of successfully globalizing their economies are beating us, fair and square.    If we do not band together as neighbors we will both lose.  Central and South America are rich in resources, namely oil, over which North America has waged the aforementioned wars. Getting out the wars would not be the only benefit.  There is not the issue of distance that we have with the Middle East. This of course drives down the cost of the oil. Secondarily, we are not nearly as indebted to any Latin American countries as we are to Saudi Arabia.  

Brazil supplies oil to us, and has great potential to become a powerful source of alternative energy.  It is quickly becoming a democracy, albeit with a communist president, complete with freedom of speech and of the press.  The U.S. states publicly that this is what they want for the whole world. If that is true, it has to be true all the time, not just when the government likes whoever is in power. Centro argues that we have the same issue with Venezuela. Hugo Chavez, their president, is extremely candid about his hatred for the U.S., but it is not completely unjustified.  Venezuela has been disregarded by the US both as an asset and as a threat.   Venezuela is virtually independent, and that upsets the U.S. We need to reevaluate are thought process. It is okay for other countries to be successful; we are all in this together.   

Being willing to work in tandem with Mexico’s government, regardless of whether or not we agree with all of their practices, would according, to Centro, help us with a lot of problems concerning illegal immigration. Together, the two nations could stop the drug trafficking of the Mexican cartel (which is a huge problem in both countries) and prevent Americans from being able to sell illegal weapons to Mexicans. Without friends on both sides of the boarder, this is unattainable goals. 

Improving relations with Latin America would improve not only our nation’s economic issues but humanitarian issues, also. Violence is a daily part of poorer Latinos lives’. Giving them aid would stop starvation and abuse. That is what we should be in the very front of our minds, and after that, we can make a continent to rule the world.