Economic concerns were the focus of a panel discussion on United States-Latin American relations as foreign ambassadors to the United States from Argentina, Brazil and Peru met in Newcomb Hall Ballroom Friday evening.
The event was co-sponsored by the Latin Student Union and 10 other University offices and organizations.
The ambassadors began their discussion with opening remarks on the state of affairs in their respective countries internally and with the U.S.
Argentinean Ambassador Jose Octavio Bordon opened his remarks by commenting on current economic hardships within his nation. Bordon said his nation has been trying to overcome a deep economic recession beginning in 1998 in which Argentina lost 25 percent of its Gross Domestic Product in four years.
The immense loss in GDP "was a result of bad domestic policies and domestic management," Bordon said.
Bordon also emphasized the need for greater Latin-American unity over trade and human rights issues. He said relations between Latin American nations were improving, especially between Argentina and Brazil, where both countries once garrisoned large numbers of troops on each side of the border.
"Today we don't have one conflict," Bordon said. "We've resolved them through dialogue, through conversations."
Brazilian Ambassador Roberto Abdenur said his nation has the "vision for Latin America to overcome a long and unfortunate history of political and economic instability."
Abenur focused much of his comments on trade concerns with the U.S.
"The United States is an indispensable partner to Brazil," he said. "But likewise, Brazil, Argentina and Latin America are indispensable to the United States."
Abendur later commented on the increased peaceful relations between South American countries, a region once plagued with regional conflicts and territorial warfare.
"I take pride in telling you that South America is one of the most peaceful regions in the world," he said. "The possibility of physical conflicts between any two South American countries is very low -- if not nonexistent."
Peruvian Ambassador Eduardo Ferrero Costa stressed the importance of obtaining a free-trade agreement with the U.S. in order to improve conditions in his native land.
"Fifty-four percent of Peru is under the poverty level," Costa said. "We need to create new jobs, we need more foreign investment. To do these things, we need a free trade agreement" with the U.S.
Costa said Latin-American issues are largely ignored by U.S. politicians.
"In the [presidential nomination] conventions, no one mentioned Latin America," he said. "Of course they mentioned Latinos -- for the votes"
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