Former President of Columbia, Cesar Gaviria, Speaks at Pacific

Originally Written: 7 October 2008
Last night I attended the lecture by the former president of Columbia, Cesar Gaviria. I had been looking forward to hearing him speak, having heard that he was a Latin American champion of democracy who had done several things in Columbia, and Latin America as well, to improve their social, economic, and political standings.
He had several main points throughout his lecture. He talked about how many Latin American countries (possibly all) had seen the sort of economic crisis we are seeing right now, and how learning from their mistakes could have kept us from making the same one. He stressed that we, as North, Central, and South American countries need to work together – to trade with one another, build the economies of neighboring countries, and promote a higher standard of living. He went on to mention some of the deplorable conditions under which many Latin Americans are living, and placed a particular emphasis on the fact that it was completely unnecessary that these people live like this. It could be avoided, but the governments weren’t doing enough. He also placed particular importance on the fact that we as North, Central, and South American countries do not SAVE enough. He mentioned that many Asian countries save approximately 40% of their earnings, and attributed this fact to their economic well-being and lack of financial crises.
He also addressed the issue of drugs. He maintained that South American countries are doing the best they can to work with the American government, and their expectations of eradicating drug production and trafficking. However, despite the fact that they are meeting the USA’s expectations and doing everything that they are, Gaviria noted that our drug problem has not decreased in the US. If not from their countries, it will just come from elsewhere. He said that we needed to work with them on controlling paramilitaries, as he called them, which cultivate the drugs and transport and sell them. Without proper cooperation, the situation will remain the same, he warned.
What I found to be the most interesting was his, what I perceived to be, intense admiration for the United States, its free markets, and the general freedoms that it has; more often than not, our citizens take them for granted. I believe he appreciates what we have more than we do because he has lived under different circumstances. But I believe he likes our system, albeit imperfect, and recognizes that although certain changes need to be made, it’s much more preferable to many Latin American countries’ way of doing things. It was very refreshing to hear a foreigner speak so highly of America, especially a diplomat! What a rarity it was indeed.
I was also pleased that the audience members were given the opportunity to ask questions of the president, by submitting them on three by five cards. He was very polite, diplomatic, and well-spoken. I was particularly impressed by his answer about Hugo Chavez. Someone had questioned whether or not Chavez was a threat to democracy, particularly within South America. Gaviria responded by staying calm and mentioning that he disagrees with many of Chavez’s policies, but said that his country would learn from their mistakes, and would hopefully not make them again. He stated that Chavez had way too many powers for a president. Continuing that there were not enough checks and balances in place within their system of government to properly check his power and make sure it didn’t turn into an authoritarian government.
All in all, I was very pleased with the event and very happy that I attended, and took advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear such a powerful, influential man speak.