dictators are in the Americas, too

The American Thinker article

Buried deep in the appalling announcement of Cuba's new place on the UN's Human Rights Commission was the name of the country that nominated that outpost of tyranny for the honor: Argentina.

It's not the first time the southernmost country in the New World has done the bidding of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. Last December, a Cuban dissident who sought de-facto asylum in Havana's Argentine embassy was unexpectedly denied an exit visa and forced back into the hands of Castro's waiting agents. Such events underline Argentina's political direction.

A few years ago, Argentina was one of the U.S.'s major non-NATO allies. Now, Argentina is undermining the U.S. and its agenda of freedom, in favor of strengthening Castro. Tragically for itself, for America, and for the cause of liberty, Argentina is rapidly emerging as an enemy.

Argentina's descent into the orbit of Castro has unusual roots. It's anti-American alright, with most Argentine voters falsely blaming the U.S. for their country's economic mismanagement. But unlike most run-of-the-mill anti-American states, there's no refuge in the arms of countries like France. In fact, Argentina's estrangement from Europe is far more bitter than its alienation from America. That is why Castro and his fellow pariah states are so attractive to Argentina as political allies now, and why Argentina is gathering momentum to undermine the US.
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Italian investors have noted that Argentina's government is now continuously hurling insults at Washington. It's sent government-financed piqueteros (violent leftist vigilantes) to blackmail McDonalds restaurants. It's stalled the investigation of a brutal and deadly Iranian terror bombing of a Buenos Aires Jewish Community Center in 1994, and has let key suspects walk. Meanwhile, synogogue attacks and bombings of U.S. banks are on the rise.

Argentina’s relations with dictator Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, meanwhile, have never been more cordial. "We are on the same team," Chavez told Argentina's president on his visit last week. The Argentine government also has targeted Argentina's only pro-American ex-president, Carlos Menem, a good friend and ally for his entire ten years in office, for repeated prosecutions. Not one of these actions is that of a friend of the U.S, but they all serve Fidel Castro's destructive agenda.

Argentina's economy has been subject to wild fluctuations over the decade. In 1913, Argentina's per capita (per person) income was on par with France and Germany, and well ahead of Spain and Italy.

From The Economist:

Yet the most powerful factor in Argentina's decline has been its unstable politics since 1930, when a (not very bloody) military junta took power, ending seven decades of civilian constitutional government. The rule of law has been repeatedly trumped by executive power ever since. That is one reason why the state has been able to expropriate private savings so often, through hyperinflation or devaluation—and why Mr Cavallo (economic minister from 1991 to 1996, relatively good years, until a collapse in 1999) thought it necessary to set up the currency board.

US-Venezuela relations have gone sour over the last few years, and the US has recently taken Colombia's side in a Columbia-Venezuela dispute over Colombia's capture of a guerrilla/rebel in Venezuelan territory. Colombia, interestingly enough, has shown signs of improving democracy and has cracked down on the drug trade.

The US and Mexico have "good" relations because this is the only choice. In reality, Mexico is working against the US whenever profitable (including encouraging illegal immigration; Mexico's 2nd largest source of income is money that Mexicans in the US send back to their families), and working with the US when sufficiently profitable. However, Mexico has made some boneheaded moves, like threatening to take a US state to international court because voters of that state approved a ban/limitation on benefits for illegal immigrants. Also, Mexico is angry because the US government encouraged tourists in Mexico to be cautious, as kidnapping (and hefty ransoms) have increased significantly over the past few years. Mexico has yet, to the best of my knowledge, to create/bolster any police presence in the areas known as kidnapping hotspots. Mexico also continues to be corrupt, and the government is often downright lazy, not to mention uncaring when their pointless delays cost others considerable amounts of money.