Europe-LatAm Cooperation – A Fresh Approach to an Old Problem?

There is no denying that US-Latin American relations have arrived at a crossroads. For years the United States followed an antiquated doctrine that was perceived by many in Latin America as arrogant and stubborn. Unsurprisingly, this has alienated many Latin Americans and created disillusionment with the north. Former President George Bush’s neglect of the region helped create a gap and paved the way for a succession of new left-leaning leaders (with the exception of pro-business Ricardo Martinelli, elected in a landslide in Panama on 3 May) who are unsympathetic towards Washington.

With much of the emphasis being placed on changing relations between the United States and Latin America, many analysts have estimated that other nations, such as China, Iran, and Russia, will look to increase ties with the region once known for its close relations with the United States. All three would benefit to varying degrees from improved diplomatic and economic relations with Latin America and all have security and economic implications for the United States. Yet there is another region whose own security would also benefit from increased cooperation: Europe

The EU is one of Latin America’s largest trading partners and is also an extremely important source of foreign direct investment. Although trade talks stalled last May, the EU remains an important trade partner with many Latin American nations, including Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil.

It is also the world’s second largest market for cocaine and the driving force behind a multi-billion dollar smuggling industry involving three continents. As a result of a strong Euro, increased demand in Europe, and less guarded transportation routes, international DTOs have sent thugs to Europe to help regulate control of the drug trade there. People linked to Colombian cartels have been killed in reported gang-related assassinations. Europe is starting to take notice. On 4 May, Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos affirmed that the United Kingdom is interested in increased strategic ties with Colombia to combat narcotrafficking in the UK. According to El Espectador, the UK has assisted Colombia in the fight to curb drug production since 1997. Given the rise in cocaine use in the UK – the number of cocaine users reached 835,000 in 2007 and the number of users have increased 400 percent since 1996 – the UK is looking to tackle this problem head on.

The pledge to increase cooperation is a step in the right direction, but it is only the first step. If the war on drugs in the Americas is a lesson, the UK must treat the problem of drug export as a two-way street, with each side accepting culpability and strategy that looks beyond supply-side destruction. An effective strategy may also include addressing the shipping route, which frequently involves West African nations, often the first port of entry for cocaine smuggled into Europe.

Gang activity and a rise in cocaine use have awoken Europe to the reality that they are not immune to the drug-related violence that has plagued many parts of the Americas for years. How they deal with the problem will be an important step in the future of European-Latin American relations.