Australia and the World Past and Present

Latin America is divided geographically, economically and politically.

The politics of each country swings back and forth between conservatism and liberalism.

The region has a history of military involvement in politics. At times, armies have exerted a strong influence – even going so far as seizing control of the state.

Each country is operating according to its own timetable. Sometimes the planets do align and we see a large number of progressive leaders emerge at the same time. Or a bloc of more conservative leaders can spring up, depending on timing and the prevailing political sentiments.

In mid 2023, one of these alignments occurred.

The four most powerful states in Latin America are Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Chile. At this time, all leaders were of a leftist persuasion.

President Lula of Brazil is a political veteran of the continent. Many of the other leaders were first-timers. But Lula has been there before. If there was one person who could lay claim as the regional leader – the first amongst equals – it was probably Lula.

Lula’s proposals for stronger regional integration in Latin America include a regional energy market, working together to address climate change and even looking at establishing a regional currency. Addressing climate change in Latin America may be particularly pressing given that the Amazon Rainforest is sometimes referred to as the ‘lungs of the earth’.

Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela has become a bit of a dilemma for Lula and Latin American leaders in general – particularly if they are from the Left.

The natural instinct for progressive leaders in the region is to support Venezuela if they can. Hugo Chávez had a two-pronged strategy for his country. He criticised US ‘neocolonalism’ which will always win some votes in Latin America. At the same time he brought in price controls and pursued his own healthcare reforms. Maduro is still grappling with the country’s issues. Population flows to neighbouring countries have created pressing problems and the continent doesn’t want to be seen as undergoing any form of democratic backsliding.

The relationship between Brazil and Argentina has been frosty in recent years. Jair Bolsonaro and Alberto Fernández were barely on speaking terms.

Commercial integration over the continent faces limitations.

By 2020, China had become Argentina’s largest trading partner.

Lula may aspire to be the continent’s leader. But others may resent being dominated. Petro, in Colombia, comes from the same side of politics as Lula but seems to be different from him in style if not in substance. Petro seems to be more willing to be confrontational. Lula seems more cautious. This may be a result of Brazil’s fractured political environment.

A week into Lula’s latest inauguration, there were fears that there might be a coup in Brazil. Ultimately, the country was able to ride out the storm and in the end the military did not usurp civilian authority.

Politics in Latin America is like an ever-changing chessboard. Venezuela’s problems are creating issues for others on the continent. When it comes to Venezuela, Presidents like Lula try to be more circumspect in their comments, while Milei is probably the most outspoken and doesn’t mind being unpopular with other leaders.