Three predictions

With every new year comes an onslaught of fortune-telling and forecasts.

I hesitate to join the throngs of the "Nostradamus among us", but I am willing to lay my reputation for divination on the line with the following three predictions:

In 2006...

1. I will begin to invent imaginary friends to accompany me during my long bouts of workaholism.

2. Coffee and chocolate will continue to play a significant role in my life.

3. Latin America will continue to seek greater political and economic independence from the United States.

While it's easier to predict the personal than the political, I have little doubt about #3. After all, the list of independent-minded Latin American leaders who oppose the Bush-league version of U.S. imperialism in the region continues to grow and grow.

Presidential candidates Michelle Bachelet of Chile and Manuel López Obrador of Mexico are leading in the opinion polls of their respective countries.

If elected, they will join leaders such as Castro of Cuba, Chávez of Venezuela, Lula of Brazil, Kirchner of Argentina, Tabaré Vázquez of Uruguay, and Evo Morales of Bolivia in taking a stand against the incessant intervention of the Bush administration, and in favor of Latin American integration.

But even in conservative, pro-business governments such as Guatemala's there are rumblings of discontent. Despite having just signed a "free trade" agreement (CAFTA) with the United States, the following article shows that Guatemala is beginning to shift its gaze from North to South:

Guatemala to Strengthen Mercosur Ties
by Juan Carlos Llorca, Associated Press

Guatemala's government -- annoyed by the delay in CAFTA's implementation and the U.S. House of Representative's approval of a wall to keep out illegal immigrants -- announced Tuesday it would seek to strengthen its relations with the Mercosur trading bloc, comprised of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

"It is indispensable to diversify our trade and diplomatic relations so as not to depend mostly, or even worse, exclusively, on a single trade relationship," said Guatemalan Vice President, Eduardo Stein.

Last week, Stein said Guatemala would look "for other latitudes where people are more respected," a veiled reference to the U.S. House of Representative's approval of a measure to build more border fences, make illegal immigration a felony and enlist military and local police to help stop undocumented migrants. The measure must still be approved by the U.S. Senate.

Read the entire article

Tags: Guatemala, CAFTA, Latin America, Trade, Immigration