Why US Latinos are important for Latin America

Why US Latinos are important for Latin America

To many people the connection between Latinos and their countries of origin is obvious. There are, or course, remittances to their countries. For the last decades and for several countries like Mexico, El Salvador, and even for Cuba, remittances account for a good chunk of their foreign exchange inflows. The New York Times reported recently, however, that due to the upcoming recession 3 million Latinos have stopped sending remittances to their families.

Then there is the cultural connection, whereby Latinos try to preserve their culture. Despite many differences between countries, or if you come from the Caribbean region, from the Andes, or from the Atlantic coast in South America, there are still many common features. The most important is of course Spanish, the use of which has become fairly common throughout the US. It is not uncommon to signs in public spaces written both in English and Spanish. Though the US is a long way to becoming a bilingual territory, there are signs pointing to that condition in many cities.

There is a new aspect, hidden until now. It is the geopolitical influence of Latin America on US politics through the Latino population living here or vice versa, the influence of Latinos on US policy in countries throughout Latin America. Until recently, when Hispanics were a smaller minority, their political opinions mattered little. But now, as first minority group, their voices affect US relations with different parts of Latin America. Take the fence with Mexico. It is not only a disgusting method to keep illegal immigrants at bay. It has sent a negative current throughout the local Hispanic community with a powerful echo in all Latin America. The years to come will show how the way Latinos are treated in this country means a lot to their cousins elsewhere.

The most significant example is of course that of Cuba. For decades now the influence of the Cuban immigration in Florida on US policy making vis-à-vis Cuba has been notorious. The commercial blockade on the island, whose merits are less and less clear, has been the main policy, approved again and again by both presidents and Congress. To no political effect.

In times when the divide between mainstream US politics and Latin America is growing, thanks to changes in the political spectrum in the subcontinent, especially in South America, the influence of Latinos on policy making regarding their countries of origin will become a force beyond dispute. Ironically, it will be a triumph of the globalization so many of current Latin American leaders profess to abhor.