Security & Strategic Review - January 2004

Starting just before Christmas and lasting right up to the Summit of the Americas in Monterrey on 12-13 January, a combination of public and off-the-record statements, and `deep background' briefings, by US officials gave the impression that Washington was determined to recreate a Cold War atmosphere on a hemispheric scale. The core message was that Cuba, allied with Venezuela, have embarked upon a campaign to destabilise democratic governments in the region and foster anti-US sentiment — and that Argentina and Brazil are suspected of tolerating, maybe even sympathising with, their aims.