Reply #17: USAID Official Cites U.S. Support for Democracy in Latin America

[FogerRox]

28 September 2005

USAID Official Cites U.S. Support for Democracy in Latin America

But Franco warns against corruption, inequality, weak institutions

Latin America has made great progress toward democratic consolidation over the last 25 years, but corruption, weak public institutions and inequality and poverty undermine this progress, says Adolfo A. Franco, assistant administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

In his September 28 testimony before the House International Relations Committee Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Franco outlined the challenges to democracy in Latin America and explained how USAID is working to address these challenges in such countries as Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Haiti and Venezuela.

Franco observed that 25 years ago only three countries in the region had democratically elected leaders, yet only Cuba continues under a dictatorship today.  However, even though Latin America largely has adopted democratic practices such as elected civilian governments, peaceful transitions of power and basic civil liberties, Franco warned that corruption, weak institutions and economic inequality are undermining democratic consolidation.  He told legislators that these problems, coupled with the inability of regional governments to provide basic services, are beginning to give rise to radical populism.

"Many LAC countries are held back by the powerful elite, weak government institutions and self-protecting political parties wielding unchecked authority fortified through amended constitutions, legal immunity, porous regulations and corruption," he said.  "This contributes to the inability of Latin American countries to create opportunities for its citizenry and to provide the services needed to enable them to take advantage of these opportunities, and it makes the rhetoric of undemocratic, populist campaigns very enticing."

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http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=September&x=20050928171718ASrelliM0.4334223&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html