Theme: Despite multiple –and more intense than ever– calls for Latin American unity, bilateral relations are starting to be affected by a variety of conflicts in a considerable number of countries in the region. Summary: Although the calls for Latin American unity, often based on the 'Bolivarian' rhetoric, are more intense than ever, bilateral relations have started to run into difficulties,
... [Show full abstract] especially in certain hotter spots than others. This is noticeable in several cases: (1) relations between Colombia and Venezuela are going through one of their most critical moments and Venezuela's rearmament policy is doing little to still the waters in the Andean region or even beyond; (2) the progress of Brazilian leadership in South America is failing, for different reasons, to convince either Argentina or Mexico; (3) the election of the new Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS, or OEA in Spanish), the Chilean Jose Miguel Insulza, has brought to light several problems with Peru and Bolivia, together with some disagreements with Mexico, as a direct result of his election; and (4) Cuba, whose regime is incapable of accepting any form of criticism, despite feeling legitimised to intervene in the affairs of other countries in the area, maintains more or less tense relations with Mexico, Chile, El Salvador and Peru, among others. This list highlights the cases that are currently more or less active, but does not cover all bilateral conflicts, sometimes heightened by the energy question, a critical problem, as made evident by the tension between Chile and Argentina on account of the breach of a gas supply agreement. The purpose of the following pages is to describe the state of bilateral relations in Latin America and how they can affect the regional integration processes currently under way. Analysis: The last trip of the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to Latin America, focusing on Colombia and Venezuela, highlighted Spain's renewed interest in Latin America. The trip was initially focused on Venezuela in order to close an armaments deal, including the sale of several non military vessels. The visit was questioned by Colombia and the US, and in order to balance things, it was decided to extend it to Bogotá. In the Colombian capital, Rodriguez Zapatero highlighted Spain's commitment to the Colombian government's fight against terrorism and drugs, embodied in President Álvaro Uribe's democratic safety doctrine. One of the high points of the tour was the four-way summit in Ciudad Guayana, with the presidents of Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela. The Summit was to stage, with Lula and Rodriguez Zapatero as witnesses, the latest rapprochement between Chávez and Uribe, following the capture of Ricardo Granda, the so called 'chancellor' of the FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia).