It is the basis of sound foreign policy to understand that world events do not occur in a vacuum. There are causes and conditions behind every war, social upheaval or mass migration in human history, if we have a willingness to look honestly.
The caravan of refugees approaching the U.S. border with Mexico is one case in point.
The U.S. has bombed, invaded and overthrown Central American governments more than 14 times during the past century, and in every case, the intervention has resulted in increased violence and corruption, insecurity, death and torture, soaring inequality and a soul-sapping lack of economic opportunity.
In every case, America鈥檚 purpose was to silence unionists, church leaders and elected officials advocating land reform, health, education and fair taxation 鈥� policies that might have compromised the flow of wealth to American corporations 鈥� and to replace them with despots serving U.S. interests.
This is what Central Americans are fleeing today, ironically seeking refuge in the very nation that oppresses them.
From Latin America to the Middle East, the United States and other western powers must admit 鈥渕ea culpa鈥� if they hope to solve the refugee crises they themselves have precipitated.
Mike Ward
Duncan
