While the people of Honduras continue to suffer from international isolation, the political and diplomatic corporation of Latin America and the Caribbean will discuss its fate in Cancún.
The Rio Group (an OAS alternative), will become the next stage in which the representatives of the region’s governments will promote their own political and personal projects, as they discuss the future of a theoretically sovereign country.
Latin American businessmen are proposing franchising a 'political-corporate' development scheme to counter the prevailing 'Chavez model'.
Panama's new government, headed by successful entrepreneur Ricardo Martinelli, might be an example of the political model proposed by the latest CEAL Assembly (Latin American Business Council).
An article by Norma Lezcano and Alberto López in Estrategiaynegocios.net explains that Latin America's businessmen feel the need to react against the "XXI Century Socialism" fostered by the president of Venezuela. They propose alternative development models based on "free enterprise principles; civil liberties; respect for democracy; human rights and self-determination of each country; and socially responsible economic growth".
In Honduras, a inflexible Latin American diplomacy failed, forcing the intervention of the only country capable of forcing an agreement.
The agreement negotiated by Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon is a testimony of the considerable influence that Washington still has over Latin America, despite verbal attempts by Chávez and other leaders of the region to undermine it.
Facing threats from the Venezuelan Government to suspend Colombian imports, entrepreneurs from this country are looking for alternative markets in Central America.
Access to the Ecuadorian market could also be restricted, if the political problem between Colombia, and Venezuela and Ecuador, deteriorates further.
An article on the subject in Elespectador.com quotes Colombian Trade minister, Luis Guillermo Plata, as saying: "We must keep on looking for markets, this cannot be a response to the current conjuncture with Venezuela and Ecuador, it must be a constant effort. There are other markets, other partners, and we must move on", adding that "the markets demanding the most similar products to Venezuela and Ecuador, are the Central American ones, however, we will also make an effort to approach the Caribbean".
The finantial crisis in USA will especially hurt Mexico and Central America, whose economies are closely tied to the U.S. market.
Don't be fooled by the universal sigh of relief that was heard Friday when the U.S. Congress approved a $700 billion package to rescue the U.S. banking system.
The measure will help avoid an economic collapse, but the U.S. economy will remain in the doldrums, and Latin America will be hit harder than many suspect.
The finantial crisis in USA will especially hurt Mexico and Central America, whose economies are closely tied to the U.S. market.
Don't be fooled by the universal sigh of relief that was heard Friday when the U.S. Congress approved a $700 billion package to rescue the U.S. banking system.
The measure will help avoid an economic collapse, but the U.S. economy will remain in the doldrums, and Latin America will be hit harder than many suspect.