National Security Online Resource Center

Conservative governance scored a major victory in Chile as billionaire and former Senator Sebastián Piñera defeated the leftist opposition by a 52-48 margin. This victory, over former Chilean President Eduardo Frei, ends twenty years of leftist rule ever since they came to power in wake of General Augosto Pinochet’s departure in 1990.

This New York Times articles notes that many experts believe this victory is not a repudiation of the leftist government, considering the outgoing president enjoys 75 percent approval ratings. In addition, Piñera could not escape Pinochet’s legacy. The article also reports that several members of his coalition served in Pincochet’s Cabinet, and that several leftists in Chile were wary of this fact when voting.

As the Times reports, “‘This was one of the most difficult decisions the country has had in a long time,’ said Erica Tapia, 44. ‘Unfortunately, I voted for Frei out of fear of the right.’”

Nonetheless, Piñera has pledged not to appoint any former Pinochet Cabinet members to his new Cabinet. Piñera, who has also pledged to privatize several nationalized industries and create one million jobs, will hopefully be a bright spot in Latin American politics to counter the influence of socialists such as Hugo Chavez. Having a pro-American ally in previously-leftist Chile could potentially increase our favorability in South America.

I apologize for my failure to keep up with this blog lately, but I will charge full-speed ahead for the school year.

While the so-called “coup” in Honduras took place over a month ago, it is necessary to briefly address here because it is yet another example of how President Obama has failed in his Latin American policy.

National Review Online’s Editorial Board details how the Honduran “coup” was anything but a military uprising. Rather, it was a result of President Manuel Zelaya’s unlawful attempt to hold a referendum to gather support for a second term in office. This article details how Zelaya’s removal was not only legal, but necessary to preserve Honduras’ democracy.

Sadly, President Obama immediately denounced the coup as “illegal” without considering the larger circumstances surrounding it. This event comes just as Obama returned from a Latin American summit where he shook hands with and received a book from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who like President Obama harshly criticized the coup.

President Obama should use his platform to promote democracy in Latin America. Democracy has a tenuous existence in Latin America; Honduras clearly acted to preserve its own. Instead, Obama decided to appease leftist Latin American demagogues like Chavez.