Europe dreams of reclaiming – Juventud Rebeldi

They do not come as caravans, but in planes; They do not ride on horseback, but ride in modern carts; They are not prisoners or crooks, but leaders and businessmen who returned to Latin America more than five centuries after Columbus in search of new conquests. In today’s world, there is very little left to be discovered, however, the current geopolitical crisis is causing swings in the global chess game and the so-called spheres of influence are once again in dispute.

It is not that Europe has been far from the region since Spain and Portugal lost their city status, but that the bloc’s now interest in reclaiming the lost ground in its diplomatic and commercial relations with this region, neglected for years, is particularly intriguing.

Some analysts point out that with a war in the center of the old continent, rising inflation in the eurozone and an energy crisis threatening to expose Europeans to the cold of winter, all cards are on the table, including the recapture. However, there are other claims.

In this new chapter in the relations between the “old” world and the “new”, Spain once again becomes the protagonist of the novel. Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish prime minister, served as ambassador from Brussels during a tour that took him to Ecuador, Honduras and Colombia at the end of August. It was also a clean-up of his country’s image in the region, after King Philip IV did not honor the liberator’s sword Simon Bolivar at the inauguration of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, which drew criticism and hinted that colonial sentiment might not be a thing. from the past.

During the second half of 2023, Spain will chair the Council of the European Union. An intense rapprochement program between the bloc and Latin America was planned for that year, according to a report by the European Foreign Affairs Service addressed to the heads of diplomacy of the 27 member states, which was filtered by the newspaper El País.

Sanchez’s words after meeting with the leaders of Honduras, Ecuador and Colombia are a transcript of the statements contained in that document. “You can’t understand Spain or Europe without that looking towards and for Latin America,” he said in a conciliatory tone.

The report acknowledges that Brussels will try to stem the growing estrangement from Latin America through a qualitative leap in the intensity of relations and contacts, which will culminate in a high-level summit next year, organized by Spain. It was even called for a budget of 3.4 billion euros for cooperation with the region until 2027.

But why the sudden interest in looking to Latin America again? What has changed? Since starting his post in 2019, Josep Borrell, head of European diplomacy, has warned of the presence of China and Russia in the region and the displacement of Europe and the United States in the background in trade and bilateral relations.

Now, the document prepared by the European External Action Service, directed by Borrell, puts figures for this fact: “China doubled its investment in the region by 26 between 2000 and 2020 and is the first or second most important trading partner for countries. Latin America and the Caribbean, displacing the European Union and bypassing the United States in many countries.”

the nightmare of the west

Xinhua revealed that the trade value between China and Latin America amounted to more than 450 billion dollars in 2021, which is a record high. It is also worth noting that 21 out of 33 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have joined the Chinese initiative of the New Silk Road, which, according to its creators, includes building infrastructure, industrial parks and energy projects, with positive balances. for development. Similarly, trade relations include the participation of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Venezuela in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Regarding this positive relationship, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi explained one of its reasons: the principles of diplomacy of the Asian giant. Unlike the West, the Chinese motto in its relations with abroad is non-interference in internal affairs, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the promotion of mutual benefits.

Thus, Beijing has eight strategic associations in Latin America. Since 2005, it has committed nearly $120 billion in loans to countries and companies in the region. In addition, the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (CELAC) Cooperation Forum was established in 2014. This shows that it is not a rapidly building relationship with governments with ideological affinity, but rather strong steps based on Chinese principles of cooperation.

Meanwhile, despite its slightly more political stance, Russia has shown signs of interest in Latin America. The true value of this situation was tested recently, in the midst of the US and Europe’s hoarding of COVID-19 vaccines, Sputnik V was the first drug made available to residents of the region, who have been hit hard by a pandemic.

Moscow is also involved in the trade exchange of food and other products, particularly with countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, its main partners, according to RT. In addition, the Kremlin maintains relations with its traditional allies Cuba and Venezuela, amid the current geopolitical tensions.

On the economic front, it is also worth noting that of the 1,019 tons of lithium exported by Bolivia in 2021, 44 percent went to Russia, in contrast to only 16 percent that the United States obtained from this metal, which is considered white gold for Russia. Applications in the electronics and automotive industries.

On the other hand, the current scenario has once again highlighted the attractions of the Latin American region. According to official figures, eight percent of the world’s population lives in this part of the world. Latin America holds 22 percent of the world’s oil reserves and one of the major reservoirs of lithium; In addition, it is the third region with the largest area of ​​arable land.

A clean record?

At the end of his tour of Latin America, Spanish President Pedro Sanchez described his trip as living proof of a renewed commitment to the region and pledged to be a bridge between the interests of this continent and Europe.

Behind the scenes lies a disguised strategy of trying to push China and Russia out of the “sphere of influence” that Washington and Brussels shared a few years ago. However, it is a mistake to think that there will be economic colonization on European terms.

The strategy of sending ancient capitals closer to countries that were formerly their colonies, arguing that they share history and traditions, is, to say the least, unwise. Above all, because no public apologies have yet been made for the shock of the exploitation of these same peoples.

Just remember the long faces of the African leaders who met French President Emmanuel Macron during his tour of Africa a few weeks ago, and the ridicule he received from the protesters against him. Why does Brussels get preferential treatment in Latin America, where the left is once again the majority, liberation struggles demanded and gestures like the Spanish King’s movement in front of Bolivar’s sword infuriate? And though the laws of liberalism say that business and politics do not mix, it is also true that it is best to deal with those who do not make their old wounds bleed again.