Thomko Petro Chemical Blog

I have been blogging about China and Venezuela's influence in the Caribbean and Latin America, and the U.S. government is getting around to understanding that our security is being threatened in our own hemisphere.

The U.S. banned 21 countries in Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean because they refused to sign the Article 98 pact. The Article was designed to exempt American military, diplomatic and other personnel from international court prosecution.

In 2002 the U.S. banned any country that did not sign the Article 98 pack, and the result of the ban was the loss of diplomatic relationships, joint military training exercises, and military aid. What Washington did not consider was that another country would step in and fill the void in providing diplomatic relations, military training, and also provide weapons to those banned countries.   

However, China has been more than willing to step in and offer military training to these countries banned by the U.S., and in a diplomatic move, China awarded many of the Caribbean islands visitor status, which means that Chinese citizens will be flocking to the Caribbean. 

Back in March of this year, United States General Bantz Craddock appeared before the United States Senate, and told lawmakers that China had opened up its military training schools to soldiers of all ranks in Latin America, and the Caribbean. In addition, China is providing an assortment of military weapons.

While some Caribbean, Latin American and Asian countries did sign the Article 98 pact, three Caribbean islands in particular balked at the agreement including, Barbados, Trinidad/Tobago and St. Vincent. These island nations cited that the agreement was in conflict with their membership in the CARICOM World Court, initiated in 2002, and that court has jurisdiction in persecuting those who violate their nations laws. 

Aside from Barbados, Trinidad/Tobago and St Vincent, other countries that refused to sign, and are now back in the graces of the U.S. are Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, Kenya, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Namibia, Niger, Paraguay, Peru, Samoa, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uruguay. 

As for Venezuela, Chavez has been providing cheap oil to the Caribbean, and other Latin American countries, and promoting his own brand of diplomacy throughout the world. The details of these oil agreements are not well known, but you can be sure he is protecting his interests. In siding with the U.S. or Venezuela on political, or security issues, who do you think these countries will support?

And I've also blogged about the political situation in Latin America, where our government literally has little or no influence with many of the leaders in these countries. Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela have been taking more control of their oil fields by taxing American oil companies, or simply taking back the fields, and telling the Americans to leave their countries. Chad even got into the act, and tells foreign oil companies to leave - so the Chavez policy has been copied around the world.

As for Africa, poverty and corruption have left the continent ripe for terrorists. For over a decade, many countries on the continent have become a major source of terrorism. In 1989 the National Islamic Front seized power in Sudan to build an Islamist state that would be home to radical Muslim groups from around the world. During the 1990s, Sudan openly provided a safe haven to terrorists including Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda.

Diplomacy: The Art, Tact and Skill of conducting international relations, negotiating alliances and agreements. While cutting off diplomatic relations with many of the 21 countries, our security has been comprised, and we've made more people not like us - very close to home in some cases.

See other related posts:

Quickest, Cheapest Way to China

U.S. Carriers Head to the Caribbean

Caribbean Oil Dispute

Venezuela Oil "Strong Card"