Abstract

VARGAS-ALZATE, Luis Fernando. WASHINGTON AND LATIN AMERICA: A CONSIDERABLE INDIFFERENCE. anal.polit. [online]. 2016, vol.29, n.86, pp.35-51. ISSN 0121-4705.  https://doi.org/10.15446/anpol.v29n86.58040.

This paper offers an analysis of historical, political, economic, and social events on which US-Latin American relations have been based. Centered on a constructivist approach, I review the main stages for explaining the quality and intensity of the interaction between the actors under consideration. In addition, I contend that US-Latin American relations have been cyclical in nature, and that these cycles have in turn complicated the task of assessing the dynamic of the relationship over the long term. I argue that the US achieved economic and political control over Latin America from the Nineteenth century. Although the specific circumstances that governed US-Latin American relations changed throughout the Twentieth century, this basic condition of domination remained. The situation changed, however, at the beginning of the Twenty-First century, during which Washington effectively lost Latin America. Nonetheless, Washington and Latin America are currently experiencing a rapprochement. This paper explains this sequence in detail and opens new discussions.

Keywords : Latin America; Washington; constructivism; Barack Obama.

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