Bush worried about Latin leftists, ban lifted on military training in Latin America

[Cafe Americano]

"Concern about leftist victories in Latin America has prompted President Bush to quietly grant a waiver that allows the United States to resume training militaries from 11 Latin American and Caribbean countries," USA TODAY's Barbara Slavin reports today. "The administration hopes the training will forge links with countries in the region and blunt a leftward trend."

The training ban, "originally designed to pressure countries into exempting U.S. soldiers from war crimes trials," has caused the United States to lose influence in the region, military officials tell Slavin.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2006/11/us_to_lift_ban_.html

I don't know why but this worries me. The last time the US had much influence in Latin affairs it coincided with many atrocities. Some of which Gates will have to discuss if he wants to be Sec of Def.