Peacekeeping and Military Operations by Latin

American Militaries: Between Being a Good Samaritan

and Servicing the National Interest

A December 14, 2009 report by the Spanish security-news agency Infodefensa.com states that Colombia is now prepared to dispatch a battalion of its Special Forces and air force personnel to Afghanistan. The Colombian involvement is being sponsored by Spain in order to aid Coalition forces now engaged in combat there as well as training local Afghan security forces. This initiative highlights a relatively obscure issue, which comprehends peacekeeping and other military operations overseas in which units of armed forces of Latin American states are participating, or are likely to take part of in the near future. While it is commendable that regional governments may want to post troops in order to stabilize distant countries as well as cooperate in combating terrorism, as may be Colombia’s intent, there are usually other, more compelling motives, placing altruistic ones to the side, encouraging such participation.

Peacekeeping 101: MINUSTAH and Beyond
In Bogotá’s case, involvement in Afghanistan would bring a major political gain—the strengthening of security relations with Washington as Colombia would be the only Latin American country deployed in Afghanistan. Colombians must be mindful that the Uribe administration is anxious to more decisively woo Washington’s backing for the hard days ahead for pending free trade measures. Meanwhile, regional powerhouse Brazil is the leader of the controversial UN Mission to Haiti (MINUSTAH). Brasilia’s decision to play such a prominent role in Haiti is more likely a calculated move to advance its diplomatic leverage in the region, rather than being a purely selfless act. Brazil may use its work with MINUSTAH (rendered so much more important due to the ferocious earthquake that recently hit Haiti) to showcase itself as a growing global power while increasing its credentials in a contest for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Nevertheless, the controversial events which figured in the creation of MINUSTAH (such as the forced ouster of constitutional President Jean-Bertrand Aristide) have considerably stained Lula’s bona fides as well as his initiatives.

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This analysis was prepared by COHA Research Fellow Alex Sanchez