TJP

US Actions in Nicaragua Speak Louder than Words

By Byron A. Ellis – June 15, 2009

It is interesting to observe how the United States government uses assistance funds to mold behaviors in Central America. According to La Nacion, the US, this week, stopped poverty funding of $62 million dollars to Nicaragua. The funds were allocated to assist in social projects and to combat poverty. In contrast, the US treatment of military funds to allies in the Middle East would never be cut due to disagreements. It is, however, this unequal treatment between social and military funding that creates uneasiness and mistrust of US foreign policies.

Many Nicaraguans want the Ortega administration to retaliate by expulsing the US ambassador from Nicaragua. It is expected, however, that funds from Alba would cover the real need for social assistance and to combat poverty in Nicaragua.

It would seem that using a social assistance and poverty fund as a weapon to influence internal Nicaraguan politics is counterproductive. And, it will create room for countries such as Venezuela, China, and Iran to build stronger relationships with Latin American countries that will eventually inhibits the role and influence of the US in the hemisphere and the world.

Both China and Iran are creating inroads in Africa, as well as in Latin America. The US big stick approach is seldom successful and makes a mockery of the new policy of change. It also tends to validate the Republican position that change is an empty and over used rhetoric.

Nicaragua has said that they have documented the many instances of the US political secretary and the US ambassador, Mr. Callahan, of meddling in Nicaragua’s internal politics.

The US should be focusing on gaining the hearts and minds of the Nicaraguan people in spite of disagreements with the Nicaraguan government; $62 million dollars is a small investment for fighting poverty, when compared to the billions of dollars invested in military aid to pop up repressive Middle East allies.

US foreign social funding uplifts people and creates lasting friendships. Conversely, US military aid is often used to oppress and annihilate people; it creates lasting enemies and vindictiveness. Thus, preference of social funding to bridge differences appears to be the optimum choice.

China by masterfully practicing social funding, equitable economic exchange, and non-interference in the host countries affair has made significant inroads across the globe. They are sowing the seeds for sources of raw material and markets for their products.

Alleviating poverty in Nicaragua and across the globe is a plus for the United States; and it will help dislodge the intrusion of fierce economic competitors from world markets. Therefore, the Obama administration should consider restoring the poverty fund to the Nicaraguan people.

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