Could the US turn Latin America into a new Middle East?

The possibility is raised that the **United States** is driving destabilization in Latin America, comparing the situation with conflicts in the **Middle East** and **Afghanistan**.

## The shadow of destabilization

Some see a troubling connection between the **United States**' withdrawal from **Afghanistan** and the escalation of violence in **Latin America**. The idea is that, after a perceived defeat, frustration is channeled toward other fronts, generating conflict and chaos. The **United States** is singled out as an actor that, rather than seeking stability, seems to fan the flames of unrest and violence across the continent. The accusation is direct: the goal is to set the region ablaze, creating a scenario of instability comparable to the **Middle East**.

## Drug trafficking as an engine of violence

The narrative points to the **United States** as a major funder of armed groups in countries such as **Colombia** and **Mexico**, through its purchases of drug production. It is argued that, while millions of Americans suffer from addiction, the country does not fight drug use and instead points to others as the culprits. The situation in countries like **Ecuador** is described as chaos, with high crime rates. **Venezuela**, for its part, is seen as a target of destabilization, with accusations of kidnappings and oil theft, allegedly seeking to "Colombianize" it by planting illegal armed groups.

## A continent on fire

The concern centers on the possibility that **Latin America** could become a new **Middle East**, a continent engulfed in protracted armed conflicts. The situation is compared with **Afghanistan**, where it is claimed that problems were resolved after the American withdrawal. The hypothesis is that the **United States**, in pogre decline, may be seeking to set its own continent on fire as a last resort to keep its country from collapsing. The outlook is bleak, with the warning that foreign military interventions would only worsen the situation, generating further destabilization.