PUBLICATIONS BY James M. Roberts
Commentary
Research
Media Appearances
2008 Commentary
June 16, 2008
The Argentina Farmers' Strike
By James M. Roberts
It's quite a comedown for what was one of the world's wealthiest countries 100 years ago. Argentina's economic glory days are long gone, thanks to the dysfunctional economic policies of Gen. Juan Domingo Peron and his political progeny, who have clung to power in Argentina more or less continuously since the 1940s.
June 05, 2008
Mexico Needs Reforms
By Israel Ortega
Mexico should open its nationalized oil, natural gas, and electricity sectors to private investment and participation.
April 22, 2008
Protectionist Congress Losing Latin America
By James Roberts and Ray Walser
In American election years, a theme sure to grab the nation's attention is who "lost" a certain country. In 1952, it was "Who lost China?" In 1980, it was "Who lost Iran?" In 2008, voters may rightfully begin to ask who lost an entire region. In this case, it will be "Who lost Latin America?"
February 27, 2008
Big Labor & The Truth About Colombia
By James Roberts
Delays in approving the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement is workers and their families in the United States and Colombia.
February 12, 2008
A Wish List for 2008
By James Roberts and Ray Walser
In 2007, parts of Latin America continued to backslide toward leftist, authoritarian political rule. However, mixed into the record were many positive developments for democracy and free markets. The future of Latin America will have a great impact on the United States' economy, energy supply, and border security. Below is a list of 10 storylines that The Heritage Foundation would like to see take place in 2008—and the U.S. measures that can help them become a reality.
January 15, 2008
Nicaragua: Daniel Ortega's First Year
By James Roberts
Daniel Ortega's renewed anti-American rhetoric, destabilizing economic policies, and friendship with Chávez and Ahmadinejad bode ill.
2007 Commentary
December 13, 2007
Reduce Chavez Oil, Help Latin Neighbors
By James Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
The US should extend the ATPDEA with Bolivia and Ecuador and negotiate FTAs with Paraguay and Uruguay.
October 30, 2007
Cristina and the U.S: No Change
By James Roberts
As president, Cristina Fernandez will likely continue Argentina's dependence on socialist Venezuela rather than embrace free market reforms.
September 25, 2007
US-Colombia Trade Pact Would Serve Both Countries Well.
By James Roberts
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, a staunch ally of the United States and supporter of market-based democracy, has been fighting with great courage and success since 2002 to build a more democratic and prosperous Colombia. Yet, liberal Democrats in Congress have all but declared dead on arrival a U.S.–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement that would encourage continued progress in Colombia. To make matters worse, they have proposed significant changes and cuts to the fiscal year 2008 budget for Plan Colombia, the successful joint U.S.–Colombia anti-narcotics program. To bolster prosperity and security for both the United States and Latin America, Congress must continue to assist and engage one of America’s closest friends in the Andean region.
2008 Research
July 01, 2008
Colombia and Mexico: Vitally Important U.S. Allies and Trading Partners
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1978)
The positions put forth by John McCain and Barack Obama reflect the sharply different approaches each would take in shaping future U.S. policy toward Latin America.
May 27, 2008
Argentina Farmers Strike: Refusing to Foot the Bill for the Kirchners' Populist Politics
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1938)
Peronists Néstor Kirchner and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, the presidential couple who have ruled Argentina since 2003, have exploited record-high commodity prices to finance their leftist-populist policies. Keeping the peso artificially low, they have overheated the economy and stoked exports and inflation, heavily taxing the former and attempting to conceal the latter.
May 20, 2008
Bolivia: Santa Cruz Voters Stand Firm-Against Morales and for Democracy
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1929)
President Evo Morales is intent upon gathering unchallenged and unending power to impose “21st Century Bolivarian Socialism” in Bolivia. Although pro-democracy, free-market forces appear to have scored a significant victory in a May 4 referendum about control of the country’s mineral-rich and economically more successful eastern lowlands, Morales and his followers will surely not give up their quest to subjugate the industrious and independent-minded Department of Santa Cruz.
May 13, 2008
How Reforms in Mexico Could Make the U.S. More Secure
By James M. Roberts and Israel Ortega
(Backgrounder #2135)
Failures in Mexico's economic model have pushed millions of unemployed workers toward the U.S., creating a crisis on both sides of the border. President Felipe Calderón must reform Mexico's economy to create new private-sector jobs, and President Bush and Congress should support Mexican efforts to help solve the immigration crisis, open Mexico to more U.S. exports and investment, and secure our border.
May 13, 2008
Executive Summary: How Reforms in Mexico Could Make the U.S. More Secure
By James M. Roberts and Israel Ortega
(Executive Summary #2135)
Failures in Mexico's economic model have pushed millions of unemployed workers toward the U.S., creating a crisis on both sides of the border. President Felipe Calderón must reform Mexico's economy to create new private-sector jobs, and President Bush and Congress should support Mexican efforts to help solve the immigration crisis, open Mexico to more U.S. exports and investment, and secure our border.
April 30, 2008
The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Strengthening a Good Friend in a Rough Neighborhood
By James M. Roberts
(Backgrounder #2129)
On April 10, the congressional leadership forced a vote that has indefinitely delayed consideration of the U.S.–Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Defeat of this agreement would be a major psychological victory for forces that the U.S. has battled for decades. Congress should promptly approve the U.S.–Colombia FTA, which would increase economic prosperity in both the U.S. and Colombia.
April 30, 2008
Executive Summary: The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Strengthening a Good Friend in a Rough Neighborhood
By James M. Roberts
(Executive Summary #2129)
On April 10, the congressional leadership forced a vote that has indefinitely delayed consideration of the U.S.–Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Defeat of this agreement would be a major psychological victory for forces that the U.S. has battled for decades. Congress should promptly approve the U.S.–Colombia FTA, which would increase economic prosperity in both the U.S. and Colombia.
April 15, 2008
Losing Latin America? A Protectionist Congress Is Destroying U.S. Credibility
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1890)
In American election years, a theme sure to grab the nation’s attention is who "lost" a certain country. In 1952, it was "Who lost China?" In 1980, it was "Who lost Iran?" In 2008, voters may rightfully begin to ask who lost an entire region. In this case, it will be "Who lost Latin America?"
March 14, 2008
How the U.S. Navy Inadvertently Supports Hugo Chávez
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1855)
A U.S. designation of Venezuela as a terrorist-sponsoring state would allow the Navy to end its practice of buying gasoline from a company owned by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
March 06, 2008
Spain Must Opt for Economic Freedom
By James M. Roberts and Anthony B. Kim
(WebMemo #1838)
With elections approaching on March 9, Spain's slackening economy is in need of fundamental reforms.
February 27, 2008
Want More Economic Stimulus? Pass the Pending Free Trade Agreements!
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1830)
Congress should pass the pending FTAs with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.
February 19, 2008
Cuba's Phony Transition: Fidel Resigns, Raul Reigns
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1820)
The Unites States should keep existing policies in place until Cuba makes real progress on political reforms and human rights issues.
February 19, 2008
Big Labor Can't Handle the Truth About Colombia
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1821)
Congress should put national security ahead of partisan politics and ratify the U.S.–Colombia TPA.
January 11, 2008
Nicaragua's President Ortega: The Balancing Act After One Year
By James M. Roberts
(Backgrounder #2097)
Daniel Ortega has appeared to support capitalism, DR–CAFTA, and relations with the U.S. while seeking support and cash from world troublemakers like Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Venezuela's Hugo Chávez, and Libya's Muammar Qadhafi. The U.S. should monitor Ortega, work to expand Nicaraguan democratic and free-market institutions, and be prepared to act promptly if Ortega moves closer to Venezuela and Iran.
January 11, 2008
Executive Summary: Nicaragua's President Ortega: The Balancing Act After One Year
By James M. Roberts
(Executive Summary #2097)
Daniel Ortega has appeared to support capitalism, DR–CAFTA, and relations with the U.S. while seeking support and cash from world troublemakers like Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Venezuela's Hugo Chávez, and Libya's Muammar Qadhafi. The U.S. should monitor Ortega, work to expand Nicaraguan democratic and free-market institutions, and be prepared to act promptly if Ortega moves closer to Venezuela and Iran.
January 07, 2008
Latin America: A Wish List for 2008
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1767)
The following 10 storylines would benefit the United States’ economy, energy supply, and border security.
2007 Research
December 04, 2007
The U.S.-Peru Trade Agreement: A Winning Proposition for Both Countries
By Daniella Markheim and James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1718)
Free trade agreements between the United States and Latin American countries will pave the way for a future of friendship, peace, and prosperity throughout the hemisphere.
December 04, 2007
Venezuela: Democracy Dodges a Bullet
By James M. Roberts and Ray Walser, Ph.D.
(WebMemo #1719)
Though he has been temporarily stymied from achieving his goal of total power in Venezuela, Chávez certainly will not give up his dream.
November 28, 2007
Nicaragua: Is Daniel Ortega a "Vegetarian" or a Carnivore?
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1712)
The United States should use diplomatic and economic channels to keep Nicaragua on the path to real democracy and free markets.
November 16, 2007
The U.S. and Mexico: Taking the "Mérida Initiative" Against Narco-Terror
By Ray Walser, Ph.D., and James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1705)
The United States and Mexico have an opportunity to push forward with their unprecedented and outstanding level of cooperation in the battle against drug traffickers along the U.S.–Mexican border.
October 25, 2007
Argentina: Implications for the U.S. If First Lady Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner Becomes President
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1678)
The expected outcome is unlikely to improve U.S.–Argentine relations. U.S. policymakers should focus on building stronger relations with other Latin American countries.
October 18, 2007
Cuba at the Crossroads: The Threat to U.S. National Security
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1669)
The next event in the Heritage Foundation series looks at Cuba's activities in Latin America, its intelligence operations, and its relations with U.S. enemies.
October 04, 2007
Costa Rica and CAFTA: Chavista Rhetoric Threatens Trade Deal's Benefits
By James M. Roberts and Daniella Markheim
(WebMemo #1656)
Protectionists are waging a campaign of misinformation to dissuade Costa Ricans from voting to join CAFTA.
September 28, 2007
Ecuador: Is Correa Following Chávez Down the Road to Serfdom?
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1651)
To reverse the region's slide toward socialism, the United States must increase its support for democratic, market-based institutions in Latin America.
September 13, 2007
Expanded Trade Ties with Peru Will Benefit America
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1613)
Congress should act to approve a trade agreement that would strengthen U.S. energy security, reinforce democracy and markets in South America, and further U.S. national security interests.
August 20, 2007
If the Real Simón Bolívar Met Hugo Chávez, He'd See Red
By James M. Roberts
(Backgrounder #2062)
Hugo Chávez aims to dominate the Caribbean Basin and Andean region and fulfill the dream of his mentor, Fidel Castro. Venezuela has become a hub of narcotics trafficking, and its rapid military buildup will likely lead to a renewed regional arms race. The U.S. should counter Chávez by increasing its support for market-based democratic institutions and encouraging true reform.
August 20, 2007
Executive Summary: If the Real Simón Bolívar Met Hugo Chávez, He’d See Red
By James M. Roberts
(Executive Summary #2062)
Hugo Chávez aims to dominate the Caribbean Basin and Andean region and fulfill the dream of his mentor, Fidel Castro. Venezuela has become a hub of narcotics trafficking, and its rapid military buildup will likely lead to a renewed regional arms race. The U.S. should counter Chávez by increasing its support for market-based democratic institutions and encouraging true reform.
August 17, 2007
The U.S.–Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement: Don’t Let Progress Fall Victim to D.C. Politics
By James M. Roberts
(WebMemo #1588)
To bolster prosperity and security for both the United States and Latin America, Congress must promote free trade with Colombia and assistance for its anti-narcotics efforts.
