The coordinator for American Enterprise Institute (AEI) programs on Latin America said April 6 that the appointment of Mike Pompeo as secretary of state could boost the Trump administrations impact in the region.
“President Trump is finally putting a team in place that could begin to address the grave and growing security threats right here in our hemisphere: the corrupt narco-state in Venezuela, the explosion of coca in Columbia, and the attack on democratic institutions in Central America by narco-kingpins and gangs,” said Roger Noriega, who is also a former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of American States. “They’re even backing the election of an anti-American candidate in Mexico.”
His comments came as part of AEI’s In 60 Seconds series of short video commentaries that address pressing policy issues.
Noriega suggested Pompeo can assemble a loyal political team to work with career diplomats to address Latin America issues.
“They should press for an urgent transition in Venezuela, rallying the region to sanction the [Nicolas] Maduro regime and support democratic opposition,” he said. “And they must help Colombia’ s next president confront the persistent narco-terrorist threat.”
Noriega also added that the team should emphasize U.S. commitment as a partner to Mexico to address security threats as well as grow economically.
“The new foreign policy team must begin to take care of business right here in our neighborhood,” he added.
Watch the entire video here. And visit Noriega’s page at AEI to explore his research, writing, and media appearances.
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