US Reactivates Caribbean Bases: 'Democracy' or Destabilization?
Newsweek heralds the reactivation of U.S. military bases across the Caribbean as a proactive measure ( Newsweek, 11/17/2017 ). Conveniently forgotten is the U.S.'s long, storied history of "proactive measures" in the region—from multiple invasions of Haiti and the Dominican Republic to the Bay of Pigs. Is this about curbing drug trafficking and supporting ‘democracy,’ or is it about reasserting
control where resource-rich nations like Venezuela (whose oil reserves are rather appealing, aren't they?) might stray from the Washington consensus? One might wonder if any of these newly fortified Caribbean outposts will find themselves supporting "regime change" operations, rather than merely surveilling narcotics. Or perhaps they'll just host more 'military exercises' that coincidentally
intimidate sovereign neighbors. Because nothing says 'good neighbor policy' like setting up shop with a full arsenal next door, right?