Audio: The Andean Region at a Crossroads: Economic, Political, and Security Prospects

June 2, 2008

Minister Bustamante.

During an AS/COA round table discussion, Ecuador's Minister of the Interior Fernando Bustamante, Davidson College's Russell Crandall, and JPMorgan's Luis Oganes discuss economic, political, and security prospects for the Andean region, with a special focus on recent tensions between Ecuador and Colombia. During his keynote speech, Bustamante discussed Ecuador's constitutional reform process, 21st Century Socialism, and maintaining security. "We will not do the job that others are failing to do in their own territory," remarked the minister, who also said the Ecuadorian government questions the veracity of laptop files allegedly connecting the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group with Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa's administration.

Download an mp3 of the discussion.

During his presentation, Oganes took a closer look at the economic outlook for the region, comparin the high rate of foreign investment in Colombia and Peru with lower rates in Ecuador and Venezuela. He also described the danger of rising inflation caused by high food prices. Crandall closed the event with a discussion of the problems caused by competing political ideologies in the Andean countries.

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