There are countless stories about the triumph of the weak over the strong, the underprivileged over the privileged, and the ugly over the beautiful. With all this exposure, it’s easy to believe that the weak can always prevail. However, as we saw last Sunday, that is not always the case.
On Sunday, January 27th, the president of Colombia and the president of the United States had a feud regarding the deportation of Colombian citizens illegally residing in the United States. President Petro refused to accept the landing of military planes carrying deportees, arguing that they were being treated wrongfully. In response, President Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all Colombian goods entering the U.S., with plans to increase it to 50% within a week. It seemed as though a trade war was about to begin when Petro retaliated with threats of his own. However, by Sunday evening, Petro backed down and ultimately agreed to accept the Colombian citizens back into the country. (1)
After this episode, the general sentiment in the country was one of embarrassment and disappointment. Why is President Petro defying the United States? Don’t we need the U.S. for our economy? The hashtag “Petro Does Not Represent Me” was widely shared on Instagram.
The U.S. is Colombia’s largest investor, and this contribution is essential to the country’s economy. In 2012, the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) went into effect, eliminating most tariffs and increasing investment opportunities between the two countries. (2) It would be an understatement to say that the influence of the United States in Colombia extends beyond just economics. Many Colombians view the U.S. as a model for what their country should be. Anything marked “Made in the USA”—whether food, clothing, or electronics—is automatically perceived as superior.
To illustrate this point: During medical school in Cartagena, Colombia, I was taught that Colombia aspires to replicate the “successful” U.S. medical system. But even more telling was the fact that, although good Colombian food is never lacking in Cartagena, eating at McDonald’s on the other side of the city was a luxury worth a one-hour trip for me and many of my friends. I still remember the excitement of riding in my father’s gray pickup and ordering at the drive-thru: “A McFlurry and a Big Mac, please.”
Globalization has allowed Western countries to dominate the culture and economy of many smaller nations, and this episode demonstrates the consequences of letting that happen. Beyond the dispute over deportees and tariffs, it seems that the current U.S. president carries an air of superiority and is willing to challenge anyone who opposes him. The United States held the upper hand in this conflict with Colombia, as it does with many other countries. The underdog is now bowing and yielding to the demands of the powerful. But I wonder—will this last forever? When will these small countries find the courage to stand on their own and reclaim their pride in their culture?
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cglynrxjyl5o
- https://co.usembassy.gov/- U.S. – Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA/FTA)