USA: Leadership at Risk?

Published in El Espectador
(Colombia) on 8 November 2023
by María Ángela Holguín (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Patricia Simoni. Edited by Michelle Bisson.
The United States is at a critical point in its history; it is losing its privileged place in the world.

It has exercised economic and political dominance on the global scene since the post-war period, helped in the rebuilding of Europe and, with its growing economy, supported development in much of the world; however, the U.S. model of democracy, once considered to be an example for the globe, is going through a bad stretch.

Excessive polarization and division have caused its loss in leadership, unity and authority. Implausible scenes such as the attempted takeover of Congress in January 2021 leave the United States without superior authority for making demands of some countries — as it does — for democracy.

It is staggering to see the fights in Congress over the election of the speaker of the House or over support of the administration's foreign policy. In the case of Ukraine, Joe Biden wasn't given the support for economic aid he had hoped for, even though it is known that if Russia wins the war, with the triumph of this historical enemy, Europe's stability would be placed at risk.

In terms of domestic politics and in light of next year's presidential election, the unthinkable is happening in the United States: A former president is under investigation, being questioned, and yet is handily winning the candidacy of his party. If Donald Trump is not convicted, he will be the Republican candidate. If the country isn't careful, he will be president again.

The paradox is that the U.S. would be the first to criticize and impose sanctions if, anywhere in the world, a candidate under serious investigation and the potential for conviction were the nominee.


Estados Unidos está en un momento complejo de su historia, está perdiendo su lugar privilegiado en el mundo.

Ha ejercido un dominio económico y político en la escena global desde la posguerra, ayudó a la reconstrucción de Europa y con su economía creciente apoyó al desarrollo en buena parte del mundo.

Su modelo de democracia, que se consideró ejemplar para el mundo, está pasando por un mal momento, con excesiva polarización y división, que le ha hecho perder liderazgo, unidad y autoridad. Escenas inverosímiles como la toma del Congreso en enero del 2021 dejan a Estados Unidos sin mayor autoridad para exigirles a algunos países, como lo hace, sobre la democracia.
Hoy es increíble ver las peleas en el Congreso para elegir el presidente de la Cámara o para apoyar al gobierno en su política exterior. En el caso de Ucrania, Biden no logró el apoyo a la ayuda económica que esperaba, a pesar de que saben que si Rusia gana esa guerra la estabilidad de Europa está en riesgo y será el triunfo de su enemigo histórico.

En términos de la política interna, de cara a las presidenciales del año entrante, está pasando lo impensable en Estados Unidos: un presidente investigado, cuestionado, está ganando de lejos la candidatura de su partido. Si no condenan a Trump, será el candidato republicano y, si se descuidan, otra vez será presidente.

Lo paradójico es que si eso pasara en cualquier país del mundo, que un candidato con investigaciones graves a punto de ser condenado se candidatizara, ellos serían los primeros en salir a criticar y sancionar.
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