Although the only Latin thing he has Rebecca Bill Chavez is her last name —which she owes to her husband—, she has dedicated her entire career to the study of a region that she is passionate about like no other. Born in Texas, Bill Chávez has just been appointed as the new president of the Inter-American Dialogueone of the most important think tanks in the United States and whose work for decades has focused on building bridges of understanding in the Western Hemisphere.
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A political scientist with an emphasis in international relations from Stanford University and Princeton, Bill Chávez also has a long career in public service, where served as Under Secretary of Defense for the Western Hemisphere during the Barack Obama administration.
Starting tomorrow, Rebecca Bill Chavez replaces Michael Shifter, an old acquaintance from Colombia who headed the Dialogue for the past 12 years. In an interview with EL TIEMPO, the new president warns that “a deliberate dismantling of democracy” is taking place in the region, which is of concern and should be central in the next Summit of the Americas.
First female president in the history of Dialogue…
As an academic and public servant I believe that having more women in positions of power is critical and I am proud to be the first. Gender issues in the region are very important and I hope to be an example. I am a mentor of young women and I believe that a path must be built for them, they are the leaders of the future and opportunities must be offered to them.
What do you think are today the axes and challenges of relations between the United States and Latin America?
I think the Summit of the Americas in June offers a great opportunity to focus on these issues. It makes me think of the first Summit, also in the US, in 1994 and how that moment was seen as one of great opportunities. There was talk of a free trade zone for the region, democracy was on the rise. It was a moment of great optimism, of how economic prosperity could reduce inequality. Today we are in a position where democracy seems to be receding in the region and the US also shows weakness on this front. The pandemic has devastated the region, and the serious impact of climate change and migration are very serious challenges. But neither can be faced alone. A unilateral approach does not work. These are issues that transcend borders and therefore we must unite to seek multilateral solutions through cooperation.
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What effect does Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have on relations within America? Are we facing the beginning of another Cold War?
You mention the Cold War and I think there is a latent concern about the role of external actors like Russia and China. One of the Trump administration’s mistakes was to push for countries to make a decision. Either you are with me or with China, but without offering alternatives. To avoid this Cold War mentality, alternatives must be offered. Like Build Back Better, Joe Biden’s initiative, or near shoring (favoring geographic proximity). The best response to these external actors is to be a reliable, credible partner that offers opportunities. But we need resources, we have to invest in our hemisphere.
“There is some discomfort among the population against democracy for not having fulfilled its promises, and that has given space for this type of authoritarian leaders to emerge (…)
The truth is that the war has changed the priorities of Biden and the US. It is feared that the conflict will focus all the administration’s energy on Europe and neglect the region…
What happens is very important. But I am concerned that we are so focused on what is happening in Europe. There is a historical tendency in the US to have reactive policies towards the region, we go from crisis to crisis without having a holistic approach. And what I hope is that the administration takes advantage of this Summit (of the Americas) to develop that strategy.
The issue of migration is one of the most explosive issues in the US What can Biden do to unite the Democratic forces in the face of the harsh landscape?
That’s the million dollar question. Especially now that the midterm elections are looming. This is an issue that worries people and that anti-immigrant sentiment is real. But recently I went to the border and there you can see the human drama. It’s disheartening. Thousands of people trying to enter and exposed to the worst abuses. This is not a new issue and until we carry out a comprehensive reform of the immigration system, it will continue to be a problem. At the same time, we must attack the roots of the problem: promote development in the countries from which the migrants leave so that they do not have to leave, because that is the long-term solution. I think that Biden has a team that is working on it and it gives some hope, but the results will not be overnight.
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What would you recommend in the case of Venezuela?
The strategy has not worked, that is clear. Biden talks about a strategy for Venezuela but I have not seen it yet. I support the appointment of a special envoy for the country because it shows that it is an important issue. As is helping to resolve the drama of the more than six million Venezuelans who have left the country. We must support more the countries that are hosting them and that must be part of this holistic strategy that I am talking about. Biden, as the multilateralist that he is, can move the world in this direction. It is not easy now that everything is concentrated in the Ukraine, but we cannot forget this even closer drama. Maduro is a thug and is at the center of this humanitarian disaster. I believe that the efforts being made to return to the negotiating table are very important. But I also know that Maduro has used this before to delay things, so any decision about lifting sanctions must depend on concrete steps being taken.
Many in the region saw as a cynical move that there was talk of lifting sanctions on Venezuela to compensate for energy needs due to the conflict. Do you think that was a mistake?
I think that was executed poorly. First, it was said that they had sent someone to Venezuela to talk about hostages, the reactivation of negotiations and oil. But then they removed the oil issue and I haven’t seen a coherent explanation. There must be a clear message. Also, if oil were a reason, it would be absurd because the Venezuelan oil industry is on the ground and does not offer a solution for the current energy crisis.
The region is facing a consolidation of autocratic regimes that are eroding the pillars of democracy. To what do you attribute it?
I think what we are seeing is that there is a deliberate dismantling of democracy in the region. We have three countries with full authoritarian regimes and other countries like El Salvador, with Bukele, where the autonomy of democratic institutions, the courts, civil society, the media are gradually being eliminated. And there is some discomfort among the population against democracy for not having kept its promises and that has given space for this type of leader to emerge. It is something that worries me a lot. Another example is Mexico. I am very pleased that the issue of defending democracy is a pillar on Biden’s agenda, but I think we must be consistent. The administration has to expose what President Manuel López Obrador has been doing, because in Mexico all the signs of countries that have walked this path are being seen. It is almost as if a script has been created where a leader rises through free elections, but then checks on his power are removed. We must make this issue a priority both in the US and in the region. It is one of the great challenges.
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As in the US, Latin America also suffers from a phenomenon of political polarization. What is the risk of going down that path?
The US should speak about this with humility, because we have similar problems. I myself am concerned about our democratic institutions, which I always thought were very strong. Once you start down this road it is very difficult to turn back. But you have to be consistent. And that was something that did not happen under Donald Trump. You have to have credibility when reporting.
What is your perspective on the upcoming presidential elections in Colombia?
We do not know what the outcome will be and no one should intervene. I think Colombia will have fair and free elections. If (Gustavo) Petro wins, the US will have to deal with that. There are things in his past that worry me, but I also know that throughout history leftist leaders have emerged from that mold that we wanted to cross out, but when they came to power they behaved differently. Colombia is and will continue to be a key ally. I am not saying that there are no concerns or that they are not valid. but if you win, you have to look for areas of common interest.
SERGIO GOMEZ MASERI
TIME CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON
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