Foreign policy of Colombia - Essay Example

?Introduction The economic and political dynamics being experienced in the 21st century have necessitated the need for countries to formulate effective foreign policies defining their relations with their international partners. The liberalization of world market has created the need for countries to form trading blocks in order to safeguard their economic interests. The collapse of the Soviet Union created new political alignments, as different countries attempt to assert their influence in the world. Formulation of foreign policy in such a dynamic world subjects many countries in pragmatic and ideological dilemma, making the process quite challenging. Colombia is not an exception and this paper examines the foreign policy of the Latin American country from 1989 to the present. The first part examines the historical foundation of Colombian foreign policy during the cold war, focusing on its main principles. The second part focuses on Colombian relations with regional and international partners and finally the changes of country’s foreign policies since 1990. The foreign policy of Colombia has historically been inclined to western and anti communist ideologies during and after the cold war (Randall, 140). After the Second World War, the Soviet Union developed immense global influence that spread across all continents including Latin America. This resulted to polarization of global ideologies, between communism and capitalism. The foreign policies of all countries in the world were divided between the two super powers, the capitalist United States and the communist Soviet Union. The United States emerged the more dominant power after the collapse of the Soviet Union and Colombian foreign policy was strategically aligned to it (Arnson and Arlene 165). According to Randall (141), the inclination of Colombian policy to United States is not motivated by ideologies, but by economic and strategic interests. Although the country demonstrated multilateral approach with both the communist and capitalist ideologies, its foreign policy has historically been motivated by the need to preserve its economic and strategic interests in the region and in the world (Arnson and Arlene 167). Columbian foreign policy is influenced by economic and security motives. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, United States emerged as the sole global superpower. Therefore, inclining the foreign policy of Colombia towards the superpower became the most pragmatic approach of ensuring security of its economic and political interests. Since 1989, Columbian dependence on the United States military support and funding has increased considerably (Randall, 141). The economic and security threat posed by persistent internal insurgency in Colombia since 1940s and the effects of illegal drug trafficking in the region played a critical role in orienting the country’s foreign policy towards United States (Randall, 142). Therefore, the high dependence of the country on United States and the desire to uphold the international law has compelled Colombian foreign policy to embrace a multilateral approach to balance its relations with the US and global and regional organizations. United States and the neighboring Latin American countries have historically played a critical role in the Colombian politics, security and economy. According to Randall, United States is the largest foreign market for Colombian products. In 2007, Randall (142) noted that Colombia exported goods worth over$9.4 billion to United States and imported merchandize worth over $8.5 billion from the US. The neighboring countries, especially Brazil, Venezuela and Mexico are significant Colombian trading partners. In 2007, the total volume of trade between Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico and Brazil was valued at $4.1 billion, $3.3 billion and $2.5 billion respectively (Randall, 142). In addition, Germany is an important Colombian economic partner with total trade between the two states valued at $1.5 billion in 2007(142). Therefore, economic factors play a crucial role in defining foreign policy of Colombia with its Latin American neighbors and the This demonstrated by the country’s commitment to maintaining affable relations with its trading partners and its aggressiveness in opening and expanding new markets and trading agreements in the region and beyond. Free Trade Agreement is one of the current foreign policy the country is pursuing with the United States (Arnson and Arlene 165). Pragmatic economic and security interests influence the relationship between Colombia and countries in Latin America and beyond as the country consistently pursue multilateral associations. Historically, Colombia foreign policy has allied itself to countries that differ ideologically with the United States such as Cuba. Randall (143) argues that such associations are motivated by strategic goals, especially diversifying and expanding its trade rather than ideological interests. This pragmatic stance demonstrates that the Colombian foreign policy opposes intervention in other countries’ affairs. In 1990s, Colombian consistently opposed invasion of other countries by United States and Israel. For instance, the country vehemently opposed American invasion of the Libya in 1988 and Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory (Randall 143). Although the Columbian foreign policy has remained consistent since the collapse of the Soviet Union, it has undergone subtle changes under the various administrations. The reign of President Cesar Gaviria Trujillo from 1990-1994 occurred at a time when the Soviet Union had just disintegrated. During his reign, President Gaviria maintained the foreign policy of his predecessors that stressed on multilateralism, opposing ideological intervention on other countries and maintaining pragmatic stance on Colombian economic and strategic interests (Arnson and Arlene 166). The collapse of the Soviet Union had profound impacts on the domestic affairs of Colombia as it reduced the suspicions that had existed between liberal and anticommunist parties in the country. The new post-communist president emphasized on the need of Colombian foreign policy to steer away from divisive ideological politics in the international arena and continue focusing on its pragmatic economic policies (Crandall 63).. The persistent emphasis on economic issues, commitment to international law and aggressive regional and global networking encouraged more foreign investments in the country. In addition, the new president reestablished diplomatic relations with Cuba, a direct affront to the United States interest but consistent with the country’s foreign policy. In the global scene, Colombia enhanced its international presence by seeking a position in the United Nations Security Council. Similarly, the country enhanced its regional presence by forming trading blocks with Latin American and Caribbean states (Randall 147). The reign of president Samper Pizano from 1994 to 1998 witnessed a change of the Colombian foreign policy that was caused by allegations of involving with narcotic dealers that have historically threatened security, political and economic interests of Colombia in the region (Arnson and Arlene 169). The serious allegations impacted negatively on the country’s foreign relations with United States and other international partners. Although the new president had promised his commitment to enhancing multilateral engagements regionally and internationally, the association with narcotics hindered his progress within and outside the country. The United States pressured Samper’s administration to address the increasing human rights issues in the country and commitment to fighting narcotics trade in the region. The Colombian foreign policy suffered a severe setback as the new administration was compelled to refocus on domestic issues rather than the multilateral and pragmatic approach of focusing on “peaceful conflict resolution, respect for international law and self-determination of its citizens”(Randall 149). President Pastrana succeeded Samper in 1998 and the new leader was under heavy responsibility of restoring the tarnished Colombian international image. The new president focused on addressing domestic issues, mainly the narcotics trade, armed insurgency and social economic problems in Colombia in order to improve the country’s foreign image (Crandall 76). The new administration embarked on restoring good foreign relations with one of its most important ally, the United States by intensifying war on illegal narcotic trade. Following the restoration of good foreign relations with United States, Colombia received substantial military and financial aid to fight narcotics trade and suppress the insurgency. The rebellion that was later followed by United States policy of fighting global terrorism diverted Colombia from its traditional foreign policy of advancing its own interests (Randall 153). President Uribe’s reign from 2002 to 2008 witnessed a drastic shift from the traditional Colombian foreign policy that advanced the interest of the country in the world to a policy oriented towards promoting closer relations with United States (Arnson and Arlene 173). In attempts to forge better relations with the United States, Uribe’s administration supported the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the global war on terror on countries alleged to be harboring terrorists (Arnson and Arlene 175). This marked a drastic shift on the country’s foreign policy of resolving conflicts peacefully and non-intervention on other countries affairs. In addition, Uribe’s administration increased its dependency on the United States aid to fight internal rebellion, a factor that has undermined Colombian relations with neighboring countries such as Venezuela and Ecuador (Randall 155). Conclusion Currently, Colombian economic, security and political interests are in jeopardy especially in Latin America. Randall (156) attributes the phenomenon to overdependence on the United States, a factor that has allowed Colombian foreign policy to be dictated upon by the North American ally. As a foreign policy analyst, I do not agree with my country’s foreign policy, because it focuses more on advancing its interests internationally rather than addressing issues affecting citizens locally. The unjustified war in Iraq has imposed heavy economic burden to the American taxpayer, who continues suffering from unemployment and other socioeconomic problems. Work Cited Arnson, Cynthia and Arlene Tickner. “Colombia and the United States: Strategic Partners or Uncertain Allies?” Contemporary U.S.-Latin American Relations, Ed. Jorge Dominguez and Rafael, Fernandez de Castro. New York: Routledge, 2010: 164-196. Crandall, Russell. The United States and Latin America after the Cold War. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Randall, Stephen. “The Continuing Pull of the Polar Star: Colombian Foreign Policy in the Post Cold War Era.” Latin American Foreign Policies: Between Ideology and Pragmatism. Ed. Gardini Gian Luca and Lambert, Peter. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011: 139- 157. Read More