The soft diplomacy of low expectations

Posted By Joshua Keating Tuesday, March 2, 2010 - 1:30 PM Share

The secretary of state's Latin America trip continues:

While in Montevideo, Mrs. Clinton met with President Fernando Lugo of Paraguay and President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia, congratulating him for accepting a Constitutional Court ruling that denied him the opportunity to run for a third term. 

Yes, it's definitely a good thing that Uribe isn't ignoring the court ruling and attempting to illegally extend his term, but does it really merit a congratulations?

EXPLORE:LATIN AMERICA, U.S. FOREIGN POLICY
 

BLUE13326

2:30 PM ET

March 2, 2010

Considering the despots in

Considering the despots in the area, Chavez, Zelaya, the Castros, et al, who don't seem to believe in term limits, I'd say it merits some recognition.

 

LUIS

11:11 AM ET

March 3, 2010

Yep - it does

As the first poster mention, considering the neighborhood, it absolutely merits trumpeting a country that supports the judicial process and follows the rule of law. Promoting a country that will engage in a peaceful democratic transition without once again changing its constitution is a big deal. I know Colombia remains the "bete noire" for many uber-liberals but its time to chill out and note something positive that happens in that country.

 

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