Two Disturbing Trends In Latin America

Venezuelan Army. Photo from Army Recognition

In Latin America, Weapons Buying Spreads Mistrust -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News

Weapons purchases in Latin America are soaring as nations cast a wary eye on their neighbors.

Whether it's called an ``arms race'' or a ``coincidental modernization'' of existing stocks, a wave of weapons purchases by Latin American nations is causing neighbors to watch each other with growing mistrust and fear.

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In this June 29, 2009 file photo, Bolivia's President Evo Morales, left, Honduras' ousted President Manuel Zelaya, second left, Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega, third left, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, fourth left, and Ecuador's President Rafael Correa pose for a photo at the Bolivarian Alternative of the Americas group, or ALBA, in Managua. A new wave of popular presidents is trying to do away with term limits, arguing they impede real change. As leaders move to extend their rule, opponents fearing a return to the caudillo era have done everything from throw eggs to stage coups to stop them. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco, File)

Latin American Leaders Move to Extend Their Rule -- Yahoo News/AP

MEXICO CITY — Horrified by the excesses of dictatorship, Latin Americans discarded the strongman model at the end of the 20th century and limited politicians' time in power.

Now a new wave of populist presidents is trying to do away with those limits, arguing they impede real change. As leaders in country after country move to extend their rule, opponents fearing a return to the "caudillo" era of authoritarian power have done everything to stop them — from throwing eggs to staging coups.

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My Comment: For many of these governments, the purchase of weapon systems is not to protect themselves from their neighbors .... but to protect themselves from their own citizens.