BRIEFS
SOUTH AMERICA: Regional Military Spending Signals Arms Race
Eric Mortensen
Issue date: 10/14/09 Section: Eagle Eye
Summary: An increase in military spending by nations in South America is isolating Colombia and further destabilizing relations in the region. Â Â
 Development: Recently reported purchases and bids for new military technologies by South American countries highlight increasing tensions in the region. The cue for the potential arms race was the recent base deal between Colombia and the United States on Aug.15. The deal would produce an increased U.S. presence in South America to fight narco-terrorism. Russia has also been financing billions of dollars worth of purchases in Bolivia and Venezuela. Brazil and Venezuela have been the major purchasers of weapons, spending over 12 billion dollars in their recent arms deals with France, China, and Russia. Some of the purchases include five French submarines for Brazil (one of which is nuclear-powered), 118 Leopard tanks for Chile, 92 T-72 tanks for Venezuela, and 24 Kfir jets for Colombia.
Analysis: These purchases of military technology have been justified by the nations involved with claims that they are simply modernizing their militaries or working to fight drug traffickers. The announcement of many of the purchases followed the U.S.-Colombia deal that has many leaders speculating that the trend will continue. Venezuela has been the most vocal nation regarding the deal, stating that the shared Colombian bases will be used to stage operations and gather intelligence on Venezuela. Recent discussions between the participating governments in the Union of South American Nations tried to force Colombia to end the deal with the U.S., but Colombia reiterated that the joint deal's purpose is to fight drug trafficking. The response didn't ease the arguments of Colombia's neighbors, resulting in an increase in military purchases in attempt to match Colombia's growing military strength. Increased U.S. presence in South America will be a constant cause of friction, as multiple countries see the United States as imperialistic and others wish to retain their military strength in relation to each other.
 Development: Recently reported purchases and bids for new military technologies by South American countries highlight increasing tensions in the region. The cue for the potential arms race was the recent base deal between Colombia and the United States on Aug.15. The deal would produce an increased U.S. presence in South America to fight narco-terrorism. Russia has also been financing billions of dollars worth of purchases in Bolivia and Venezuela. Brazil and Venezuela have been the major purchasers of weapons, spending over 12 billion dollars in their recent arms deals with France, China, and Russia. Some of the purchases include five French submarines for Brazil (one of which is nuclear-powered), 118 Leopard tanks for Chile, 92 T-72 tanks for Venezuela, and 24 Kfir jets for Colombia.
Analysis: These purchases of military technology have been justified by the nations involved with claims that they are simply modernizing their militaries or working to fight drug traffickers. The announcement of many of the purchases followed the U.S.-Colombia deal that has many leaders speculating that the trend will continue. Venezuela has been the most vocal nation regarding the deal, stating that the shared Colombian bases will be used to stage operations and gather intelligence on Venezuela. Recent discussions between the participating governments in the Union of South American Nations tried to force Colombia to end the deal with the U.S., but Colombia reiterated that the joint deal's purpose is to fight drug trafficking. The response didn't ease the arguments of Colombia's neighbors, resulting in an increase in military purchases in attempt to match Colombia's growing military strength. Increased U.S. presence in South America will be a constant cause of friction, as multiple countries see the United States as imperialistic and others wish to retain their military strength in relation to each other.
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