Regional imperialism also exists

It must not be believed that the only imperialisms that exist are global empires, those that are repeated in speeches and brochures. Of course, the main ones are recognized by all: US imperialism, the old and now resurgent Russian imperialism, its frustrated successor, Soviet imperialism, the anachronistic English and French imperialism.

However, the list does not end there, in reality there are many more. There were and there will be.  Many modern states were formed on the basis of imperialist action towards their neighbors. This is well known to the Saharawis who suffer under the subjugation of Moroccan imperialism, which is heir to the ancient Moorish empires that extended from Tangier to Timbuktu.

The Catholic and Portuguese-speaking settlers of East Timor also know that after shaking off the old yoke of Portuguese imperialism, they had to continue fighting to get rid of the invading Indonesian army that imposed its imperial control back in 1975. It seems that the Timorese have achieved its goal. The Papuans of New Guinea are still continuing their liberation struggle with the Indonesian government of Jakarta under unequal conditions. 

The Kurds are divided between three countries, Iran, Turkey and Iraq, they have been in conflict for many decades to establish their own state, still without success. In Asia, Tibetans are trying to break free from the tight Chinese embrace.

In Latin America, examples of territorial expansion and claims abound.  Some cases are relatively recent. Such was the case of Belize, which had enormous difficulties in ensuring its independence from the territorial greed of the Guatemalan military dictatorship, or from the weak and impoverished state of Guiana, which until recently had to defend its sovereign rights over most of its territory against the expansionist aspirations of Venezuela. Fortunately these claims have ceased, Belizeans and Guyanese seem to be enjoying their relative independence calmly.

If we go back to history we could add to the long list. Even today, our Puerto Rican citizens in Puerto Rico remain in the colonial limbo of the “associated state” of the United States.

We cannot forget the strange destiny of the former Spanish-Mexican California, which after a long time of transoceanic and transcontinental immigration and "Yankeeization", seems to repopulate itself with an metis Latin American demographic. Millions of Chicanos of the proudly mestizo "race" are gradually reoccupying the old places in Los Angeles, San Diego and elsewhere, to create a new California whose final destination time will tell us. And speaking of Mexico and the United States, we do not want to forget that the demarcation of that border was the result of the genocide and usurpation of the ancestral Apache territories perpetrated by both armies (of the United States and the Mexican Republic) in the second half of the century. XIX. Many of today's Latin American states were established by subduing ancient indigenous nations. An example is the misnamed "Desert Campaign" by Julio Argentino Roca in Argentina (a "desert" inhabited by ancient peoples who exercised their independence in a long-accepted way) that culminated in the conquest of Patagonia by Buenos Aires.

The "Confederation of Salinas Grande" under the Mapuche leadership of Kalfukurá and their son Namunkurá, which stretched from ocean to ocean, was savagely invaded and conquered by Roca's army and its henchmen in 1879. The war lasted seven years and ended with the death of thousands of Mapuche and Tehuelche settlers, their enslavement, the looting of their livestock and property, and the permanent seizure of their lands.

Shortly after, the "other wars" began in the north. Gradually the Chaco nations: Tobas, Mocovís, Pilagás, Wichís, fell under the imperialist impetus of Buenos Aires.

Brazil expanded westward at the expense of the Kayapó, the Chavantes, and many others. The invasion of the Banda Oriental was thwarted by the Orientals from Lavalleja in 1825. Chile expanded its borders to the south, conquering the southern Mapuche states beyond the Bío Bío.

In the Paraguayan region, the current limits of Argentina and Brazil were nourished by territories annexed to the former state of Paraguay after the War of the Triple Alliance. We must clarify that it was actually the War of the Double Alliance because Uruguay (whose sovereignty attacked was the cause of the solidarity intervention of Paraguay) was invaded by Brazil at that time.

In a similar war, Bolivia lost its access to the coast to the Chilean armies.

In short, the Creole states have been built through war, subjugation and looting. The imperial appetites of the Latin American republics for their native neighbors and settlers have supposedly ceased. Apparently an international order was established more or less respected by all that makes aggression and arrogance much more difficult (although we must not forget that indigenous nations continue to be attacked within borders).

The integration processes also help to create new regional legal frameworks and renewed forums for discussion and dialogue.

However, do not be overconfident. As history teaches, politics has endless twists and turns. We Uruguayans must remember that.

Our neighbors are our friends and brothers. But there are no guarantees that successive governments will be as well.

We must cultivate alliances with everyone we can, on the continent or outside it. Move with great caution and skill.

And at the same time strengthen ourselves within. This strengthening is a matter of national defense, but above all it is a matter of economy and culture.

On the one hand, we need to create conditions of productive strength and quality of life that give us one more reason to defend ourselves if necessary.

And on the other, continue to forge our own and non-transferable cultural identity to transmit to our descendants. That way we can grow inside, which is the best way to exist ...

Danilo Anton 

Montevideo dantonster@gmail.com