PoliBlog: Latin America finds that the right way is Left

A socialist, an Amerindian, a leftist, a Castroist. All these are thought of as threats the White House faces in Latin America. Recent and future elections are making President Bush very nervous about the ideological turn in Latin America -a backlash is in full swing. Chileans have their first-ever female president, Michelle Bachelet, who is an outspoken socialist and agnostic. The people of Bolivia are relishing the electoral success of Evo Morales, a representative of the indigenous poor and a supporter of the coca growers in that country. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, called by many a "leftist populist," is ahead in all of the polls for Mexico's presidential election held in July. Hugo Chavez, a pro-Castro president, will be running for an almost-certain second term in December, making Bush's headache a little more acute. The year 2006, it appears, will continue the new leftist wave in Latin America.

This should not be seen as unexpected, but only as belated. Latin America's outcry has hit a crescendo. The poor cannot bear it anymore, the middle class cannot see the fruits of free markets, and the rich…well, they are actually doing pretty good. Unfortunately for the well-to-do, they do not make the majority of the population in any of these countries. The Washington consensus has been tolerated long enough, with its textbook economics that leave all but the privileged in misery. Consider this a wakeup call to the right wing. They are losing control of their neighbors.

Beyond an economic backlash, the momentous trend towards the left is a product of previous mischief. President-elect Bachelet, for example, is the daughter of a general faithful to democratically elected Chilean President, Salvador Allende. He was tortured and assassinated during the 1972 U.S.-led coup that took out Allende and placed Pinochet in power as dictator for the next 17 years. As president, she now hopes to minimize the income gap between the rich and poor in Chile. Karma is definitely for real.

The United States is experiencing the first instances of backlash in Latin America in quite some time. The region has tried the medicine prescribed by Washington - cut social benefits, focus on businesses, let Americans run your economy - but it is now tasting sour. Latin America is now realizing there is a better way - a more Latino way.

On the plus side for Bush, he will never have to worry about Castro being ahead on the polls before a Cuban election--no surprises in the outcome there.