US to rebuild South American ties

Last Updated: Tuesday, 22 April, 2003, 09:22 GMT 10:22 UK
By Peter Greste BBC News correspondent in Buenos Aires

John Snow became US Treasury Secretary in December 2002

The US Treasury Secretary, John Snow, is on his way to South America for the first foreign trip in his new job.

Analysts say the visit to Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia is an attempt to re-engage in the region, amid signs that the Bush Administration is concerned about a perceived political shift to the left.

Many on the continent also believe Washington has abandoned it in favour of the war on terror.

John Snow might not be the most senior figure in the Bush Administration but his four-day visit is the most significant US foray into Latin America in six months.

Concerns

According to the official press release, Mr Snow will learn how Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia are building strong economic policies, addressing social problems and promoting economic growth.

But he'll also be trying to re-engage with the US' own backyard a year and a half after it turned away from the region in the war on terror.

Brazil first raised concerns late last year when it elected as president the left-wing Workers' Party candidate, Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva.

Lula has often spoken strongly against US domination of regional trade.

Then Ecuador did much the same by installing another leftist, former coup leader Colonel Lucio Gutierrez, as its president.

Washington is still eyeing both with a degree of suspicion along with similar left-wing trends in Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela.

Colombia has always worried the US with its ongoing war against both drug-traffickers and guerrillas.

This trip isn't the start of any grand new era in US regional policy, but it does indicate that Washington is ready to think again about its neighbourhood.