Borrell: the big problems in Latin America are inequality and violence

The big problems you have to face Latin America are inequality and violence, both issues with which the European Union (EU) hopes to be able to work together with the countries of the region, said the high representative for Foreign Policy of the continental bloc, Josep Borrell.

The senior European diplomat expressed himself this way during a meeting with foreign media in Lima in the framework of his first visit to Latin America since he took office in 2019, in which he also regretted that Latin America is not “sufficiently represented in political priorities. of the European Union”.

“(In Europe) Latin America is perceived as a subcontinent that is, on the one hand, very close to Europe, since we share the same values ​​and political systems. But it is also perceived that the big problem is inequality and violence ”, reasoned the Spanish politician.

In this sense, Borrell pointed out that Latin American society should be concerned with solving this problem, particularly “an inequality unfortunately not corrected by economic growth”, which has systematically “reduced poverty” in the countries but at the same time has increased inequalities. .

Borrell argued that the “low fiscal pressures” that are observed in the region in a generalized way are “part of the problem, since it is difficult to have a less unequal society with little redistributive capacity on the part of the public powers”.

Three problems

Beyond these issues, Borrell pointed out that European concerns towards Latin America are generally restricted to three issues: Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua; migratory movements in Central America and trade agreements.

“The first problem that is seen are Venezuela, Cuba and more recently Nicaragua, ex-communist political regimes or that are considered to be in the orbit of the old communist system or are dictatorships like the Nicaraguan one that have no other ideological connotation other than that of maintaining power. of the dictator, ”he said.

Migratory movements in Central America, an area “with an enormous lack of governance, institutional stability, low development and extremely high violence” also impact Europeans because “they are visible.”

“And the third vision is the trade agreements. Mercosur is the big elephant in the room, an agreement that was reached in principle but that does not start in its processing. The European Parliament considers that in its current state it cannot be approved and other countries have reluctance ”, he pointed out.

Borrell started his visit to the region on Monday with a meeting with the Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Óscar Maurtua.

Previously, through social networks, the politician highlighted the start of his first tour of Latin America, claiming greater weight for the region in the external relations of the community bloc.

“The EU must give more weight in its foreign relations to Latin America, as partners in the multilateral system, and as a trade and investment destination. We share values ​​and political institutions ”, he wrote in his account on the social network.

Within the framework of his visit, Borrell will meet with the President of the Republic, Pedro Castillo, and the president of Congress, María del Carmen Alva, as well as other meetings with social agents and civil society.