The Strategic Environment of Latin America in the National Security Strategy 2013

Abstract

This paper analyzes the Latin America region as strategic realm according to the Spanish National Security Strategy 2013. There is a general consensus about the significance of Latin America for Spain. However, what should be a starting point based on common history, shared values and cultural, economic, political and personal bonds, has become an end in itself, making difficult to identify and discuss specific security interests. Spain has major strategic interests at stake in Latin America. These include the impact on the regional security environment of the ongoing global transformations; the emergence of Brazil as a major regional and global power; the rise of neo-populist authoritarian regimes; the presence in the region of extra-regional powers such as China and Russia; the new modalities and evolution of the transnational threats; energy security, and the challenge of economic inequality and structural violence. This paper sets out to describe the main failures of the Spanish National Security in the strategic approach to Latin America.