security and democracy in Latin America they live in lean times. The dictatorships of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela have strengthened their alliance with the criminal regimes of Iran, Russia and China. The relationship has been cemented for decades and now the tentacles of these autocracies reach other nations of the Americas.
As the world watched with concern china spy balloons, the foreign minister of Iran, Hossein Abdollahian, made a “friendly visit” to Managua, Havana and Caracas. His main goal: to circumvent US sanctions and strengthen their geopolitical alliance in America’s backyard.
Nicaragua
In Nicaragua Daniel Ortega offered to be Iran’s platform in Central America. The dictator currently controls the General Secretariat of the Central American Integration System (SICA). The key and vehicle of regional integration.
Ortega, a cold war dinosaur, unblushingly defended Iran’s nuclear programs and North Korea. He assured that they are peaceful by nature and sovereign by definition. Nicaragua has signed twenty cooperation agreements with Iran in the last 16 years of dictatorship. All sterile. Tehran is not even listed among the 20 trading partners of the Central American country.
Venezuela
Nicolas Maduro he also met with the foreign minister of Iran. Last year the dictator offered one million hectares of sovereign territory to that country for “agricultural purposes.” Both autocracies drive all kinds of opaque transnational businesses including illegal mining and blood gold.
During the tour, the Venezuelan PDVSA and the Iranian oil company NIORDC agreed to renew the Paraguaná Refining Center (CRP), the largest in the South American nation. A beautiful tale of Persian investments difficult to materialize.
The visit to Cuba
Cuba, the mother of dictatorships, ratified its alliance of “friendship and brotherhood” with Iran against external threats, that is, the United States. Iran is another of the countries that supports the island with technology, food security and oil. They have signed 13 cooperation agreements, not a single one for the benefit of the hungry people of Cuba.
Iran tours warships in Latin America
Iran has also taken its warships for a walk around the latin america. Last month President Lula cheerfully authorized the entry of the destroyer IRIS Dena and the IRIS Makran. The ship, armed to the teeth, travels through Latin America and the world on a “peace” mission, says Tehran’s theocratic regime.
The Panama canal
On the other hand, the Iranian armed forces have boasted of their presence in various latitudes of the planet and are celebrating their plans to transit through the Panama Canal this year. A historical and reprehensible fact.
The authorities of the canal country have not said no to Iran’s claims. They cautiously and ambiguously stated that they would act in accordance with their regulations and in strict respect for international law.
Greater leadership in Latin America
The presence of Iran does not bring anything positive for the peoples of Latin America. These tours seek to empower dictators, promote shady deals, and engage in high-voltage geopolitics.
The role of the international community seems increasingly weak. China, Russia and Iran are advancing through Latin America with great force and little brake. They offer businesses with low wages, disrespect for human rights and production of poor or no quality items.
The security of the Americas is at risk and authoritarian regimes are flourishing everywhere like weeds. Beyond the Chinese tales of weather balloons, the region requires preventive and proactive leadership. An international community that acts before dictatorships are established and before armed conflicts are generated.
sanctions are necessary
Countries that establish alliances with authoritarian and terrorist regimes should be sanctioned and not rewarded. They cannot continue to enjoy the privileges of democracy without assuming the corresponding responsibility.
Peace, security and prosperity do not happen by accident. It is built with the efforts of courageous citizens, responsible governments and the support of an active international community. Latin America must and can continue to be a zone of peace.
* The author is a journalist, former Nicaraguan ambassador to the OAS and was a member of the Norwegian Peace Corps.
