Latin American Air Power

Latin America is the name normally given to the Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries of the American continent-Mexico in North America; Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and El Salvador in Central America, and Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela in South America as well as Cuba, Santo Domingo and Puerto Rico in the Caribbean.

The area in which these countries occupy is naturally suited for the development of aviation, comprising of large uninhabited zones, forests and vast plains. The use of military aircraft / aviation is quickly understood as a major strategic application of air power for the vital interest and protection of national sovereignty, resources, political and economical power witin the region.

Most recently, United States influence in Latin America has declined dramatically, mainly due to political changes at goverment level and weapons and aircraft have been obtained more from Europe from such countries as France, Russia, Italy and the Ukraine.

Jimmy Carter's 'human rights' external policies forced traditionally pro-American countries such as Brazil to seek arms suppliers elsewhere, and some friendly countries has U.S. support terminated altogether - in the case of Nicaragua with radical changes in the strategic scenario back in the 80's and now with Venezuela who have introduced next generation Russian fighters aircraft into the region such as the, Mig-29 and Sukhoi Su-30km2.

However, it is now apparent that with the ending of the Bush administration and the advent of a new President and cabinet in Washington, coupled with the increased effort toward the global war on terror, the United States needs to revert to their traditional policy to support Latin American Air Power essential to being and remaining a major power within the region toward the suppression of the spread of socialist, terror and anti-american influence in Latin America.