elpais.com
Latin American Presidential Impotence: Corruption, Violence, and the Rise of Authoritarianism
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox exposed deep military-cartel collusion (2000-2006), illustrating Javier Moreno's book, "¿Quién manda aquí?", which argues that Latin American governments are significantly hampered by systemic corruption and violence, leading to a potential rise in authoritarianism.
- What are the long-term implications of the impotence of power in Latin America, and what alternative models of governance might emerge in response?
- The book explores how this powerlessness contributes to authoritarian tendencies. While few explicitly emulate Maduro or Ortega, many politicians are increasingly drawn to Nayib Bukele's model, as evidenced by Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa's actions amid a severe violence crisis. This trend reflects a growing acceptance of authoritarian solutions to intractable problems.
- What is the extent of military involvement with drug cartels in Latin America, and how does this impact presidential authority and the rule of law?
- Former Mexican President Vicente Fox revealed that the military, during his term (2000-2006), was deeply involved with drug cartels, undermining his authority. This challenges common assumptions about presidential power in Latin America, highlighting systemic corruption and the military's significant influence.
- How does the pervasive violence and corruption in Latin America limit the effectiveness of government responses, and what are the specific consequences?
- Javier Moreno's book, "¿Quién manda aquí?", argues that Latin American governments suffer from a profound impotence of power, failing to enforce the law effectively due to pervasive organized crime and corruption. This is demonstrated by over 121,000 murders in the region last year, exceeding 20 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, compared to 0.68 in Spain.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing of the article centers around the theme of 'impotence of power,' which is reinforced throughout the text. The use of quotes from Vicente Fox and other presidents to illustrate this central theme guides the narrative. The headline question, "¿Quién manda aquí?" (Who's in charge here?), immediately sets a tone of uncertainty and challenges the traditional notion of presidential omnipotence. This framing is effective in drawing attention to the limitations of government in dealing with issues like organized crime.
Language Bias
The language is generally neutral, but terms such as "cabrones" (a derogatory term for men) in the quote from Vicente Fox and descriptions of events as "estrepitoso" (tremendous or resounding failure) introduce some subjective elements. While conveying emotion, these instances do not distort the core argument significantly. More neutral alternatives could be used in certain instances to enhance objectivity.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Mexico and a few other Latin American countries, potentially omitting relevant examples from other nations in the region. The limited scope might unintentionally underrepresent the diversity of experiences regarding the impotence of power in Latin America. Further, the article focuses primarily on the political and military aspects of power, potentially overlooking economic or social factors that might contribute to this impotence.
Gender Bias
The article features prominent male figures, including presidents and security officials. While it includes Michelle Bachelet, the representation of women is significantly less prominent compared to male figures. The analysis does not focus on gendered aspects of power dynamics, which is a potential area for improvement.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the significant challenges faced by Latin American governments in maintaining peace, justice, and strong institutions. High murder rates, corruption within the military and law enforcement, and the influence of drug cartels severely undermine the rule of law and state capacity. The inability of governments to effectively address these issues demonstrates a failure to uphold SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.