After a decade away, this week I was able to return to one of my favorite countries in Latin America: Ecuador. My first visit was in 2010, and in subsequent years I visited a handful of times and explored much of the country. My latest trip—including the Quito 15K race at 9,000 feet—has rekindled my affection for Ecuador and desire to return more frequently.
My Impunity Observer team did wonderful work with arranging and supporting as I presented at two speaking engagements: with the CREO Movement political and with a political-science class at the University of the Andes. Francisco Mendoza led the first, and Gabriella Guerrero of La Politeka led the second. Former Ecuadorian Minister of Trade Francisco Rivadeneira also attended the latter event and added helpful comments.
The most striking aspect of these events, at least to me, was the penetrating and well-informed questions from the audience. The comments made me aware of serious challenges facing US attempts to reclaim leadership over the region and dislodge the Chinese Communist Party.
While each comment had its nuance, three themes came to light:
- Chinese trade now matches US trade. The precise comparison depends on the method, but they are now roughly equivalent peers for trade. Why should Ecuadorians give up China for the United States alone?
- US policies appear arbitrary, punishing even staunch allies. Guatemala, for example, has gone out of her way to back US policies and be a faithful foreign-policy ally; yet even Guatemala has faced trade punishment. What benefit is there to being a US ally?
- The United States has lost admiration and moral standing. While the United States has deep cultural ties with Latin America, especially Central America, there has been a noticeable breakdown of US democracy, ideological clarity, economic vibrance, and civil institutions. Ecuadorians are less motivated to embrace US values over the dictatorial Chinese regime.
Ecuadorians see what they see and are, at least in this case, not bringing animus or resentment. They are simply expressing their genuine concerns and seeking explanations. Perhaps the most troubling to me is the third. While my strong preference is a US orientation for the likes of Ecuador, the loss of moral standing means the United States is now competing on economic grounds and likely needs crony policies to achieve alignment.
