Is the US a Good Sheriff?

In the North American Old West, the sheriff was in charge of enforcing the law with a five-point star on his chest and a revolver by his hip. There are currently a lot of people who consider the U.S. to be the world’s sheriff; the rest accuse it of believing itself to be so. With this in mind, the U.S. has taken and justified many actions, including attacks on foreign territories and interventions.

Barack Obama’s visit to Costa Rica last week, where he met with Central American presidents, once again confirmed that perception, as everyone attended this event with their list of demands under their arms.

As far as could be ascertained, not one person went unheard; in turn, they listened to the U.S. president talk about his government’s priorities. Among these priorities, he spoke about the necessity of economic integration in the region and of speedier trade across its borders, and about the need for a radical change in our energy mix in order to be more competitive. However, above all, he stressed the need to be even more efficient in the fight against drug trafficking and terrorism. It is true, of course, that it is our governments’ responsibility to keep the last recommendation under control, and it is a top priority for the U.S. There is no doubt whatsoever that the governments that achieve this task more efficiently will, or already do, receive preferential treatment.

The question that we must ask ourselves as nations is this: Is the U.S. really a good world sheriff? Furthermore, what has happened to the respect of human rights and civil freedom? What about the infringements on their constitutions that many leaders commit to the detriment of their people while attempting to fulfill Uncle Sam’s requirements?

In my opinion, this is a necessary task of the most powerful country on Earth today; even with its defects, it has by far one of the best governmental systems on the planet. That is why only statements of worry or rejection are neither possible nor tolerable, while in countries like Venezuela a dictatorship is gaining power, protected by its petrodollars. The U.S. has mechanisms within its reach that could discourage this government and others from continuing with those practices. I am referring to asserting its influence on the Organization of American States, U.N. and EU, or the simple fact of being the most important trade partner for Venezuelan petrol.

As for our Nicaragua, I am pleased that the effort the government is making in the fight against drug trafficking is being recognized, but I would also like to see it respect the human and civil rights of our people.

When President Ortega understands that it is not enough to win over Obama and when the U.S. in turn understands that we as a nation are not so easily pleased, perhaps we will then begin to walk down the same path, which should not be anything other than a path toward developing democracy and social justice.

The author was the commander of the Nicaraguan Resistance and is currently a member of the PLI (Independent Liberal Party).