Democracies in Latin America

* Elliott Abrams is correct in pointing to the United States’ lack of concern with the return to autocratic regimes in Latin America (Commentary, July 28). However, he does not recognize the reasons behind this regression. The U.S., through its influence on the World Bank and the IMF, has exacerbated conditions in most Latin American countries through its concentration on neo-liberalism instead of democracy. Democracy coupled with neo-liberalism has not been a force for the betterment of conditions for the majority of people.

“Structural adjustment” and debt have plagued even the most democratic of nations, like Costa Rica. The debt and lack of support to poor nations such as Nicaragua, Honduras and Ecuador have only strengthened the forces of authoritarianism. More countries will indubitably return to dictatorships if the U.S. continues its support of economic policies that force governments to reduce expenditures for education and health care and increase the consolidation of wealth in the hands of the oligarchy.

Military intervention in Colombia will not help the cause of democracy. U.S. military intervention in Latin America has never been on the side of democracy, and there is little reason to believe that anything will change that.

KARL REITZ, Professor

Latin American Studies

Chapman University, Orange

* Central American countries still suffer from the unspeakably cruel military actions initiated and funded by the Reagan administration with Abrams as the major force. It is distressing to read that he may still be influencing U.S. policy in that region.

PAUL H. WANGSNESS

Burbank