On August 7, 2010, Juan Manual Santos will take office as the new president of Colombia. His election is a testimony to the Colombian public’s commitment to democracy and a strong U.S.–Colombian relationship. Over the past decade, the two countries have achieved an unprecedented level of cooperation on many fronts from fighting drug-trafficking and narco-terrorism to advancing public safety and meeting human needs. The influence of the criminal FARC has been tumbling, and kidnapping and murder rates have been decreasing. Much of this progress has been possible thanks to the policies of outgoing President Alvaro Uribe, on which Santos can build when he takes office. Despite the many positive developments, Colombia will continue to be reliant on support from its American ally. Instead of courting the anti-American and FARC-friendly Hugo Chávez in Venezuela, the Obama Administration should reassess its global friendships and focus on aiding Colombia including support of continued fun
Venezuela recently surpassed Mexico as the third-largest supplierof crude oil to the U.S.-after Canada and Saudi Arabia. HugoChávez has already demonstrated his willingness to use oilas a tool against America. Therefore, absent a firm commitment forconstructive and verifiable cooperation by Chávez, the WhiteHouse should not renew ambassadorial relations.
Exploiting the U.S. leadership and media's preoccupation with the Caucasus conflict, as well as the Beijing Olympics, elections, and high gas prices, President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela went onthe offensive with a power grab of his own. In response, theU.S. must pursue a stronger, bipartisan effort to forge a moreactive, pro-democracy consensus in the Western Hemisphere.Democracy's friends in Latin America deserve greater support thanthey are presently receiving.