Washington is in the process of advising nations in Ibero-America that their participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative will not be countenanced, and that they might do better by “realistically” adapting to the “reality” of drug legalization. The message has been delivered in various direct and indirect ways by the Biden administration, bolstered by the legislative drive for U.S. drug legalization spearheaded by New York Sen. Chuck Schumer.
In the case of Argentina, U.S. Southern Command head Adm. Chris Faller visited that country back in April to read them the Riot Act about planned economic deals with China, while encouraging international NGOs – especially those linked to George Soros – to proceed with their drug legalization drive, which has advanced significantly there. In Mexico, the López Obrador government, which has expressed interest in the Belt and Road, is being actively destabilized with a Washington-backed regime-change operation. Marijuana legalization has been pushed through the Mexican Congress, and circles around the Mexican President continue to encourage him to reach a “peace understanding” with the Mexican cartels.
Another strong recent reflection of this process is Colombian President Iván Duque’s speech July 23 announcing a new decree aimed at turning Colombia into the “global pacemaker for the industrial production of cannabis.” Duque’s administration rarely deviates from any line from Washington. In a speech two days ago, President Duque bragged in the presence of the U.S. Ambassador to Bogotá Philip Goldberg, that Colombia is proud to be “the leading strategic ally of the United States in the hemisphere.” Washington regularly praises Colombia as one of its closest regional allies.
