“In a democracy, force should never seek to overrule the will of the people or attempt to erase the outcome of a credible election.” President Joe Biden – Feb 1, 2021

In response to the military coup in Myanmar,  President Biden said, “For almost a decade, the people of Burma have been steadily working to establish elections, civilian governance, and the peaceful transfer of power. That progress should be respected.”

Why, in 2021 is an American president still using the imperialist reference of Burma when discussing Myanmar?  If Biden is so supportive of democracy in Myanmar, why is the move towards democracy in Venezuela, Haiti, Bolivia, and recently in Ukraine being undermined?  

This is the hypocrisy of “American democracy”:  America the settler-colonial power that wrote oppression and enslavement into its founding documents; America, lecturer to the world about respecting elections and the peaceful transfer of power only when it suits its “interests.”

It is admirable rhetoric that rings empty and hollow.

In Haiti, thousands are protesting in the streets in response to the U.S.-backed dictator President Jovenel Moïse governing beyond his term limit. He is trying to rewrite the Haitian constitution to grant himself greater power and immunity for any actions that he takes in office. Moïse’s draft of the constitution was released to the people only in French. The vast majority of Haitians read Creole, not French.  Why would the US support such undemocratic actions?

On March 31, Ms. Julie Chung, Assistant to  U.S. Secretary of State for Hemispheric Affairs, tweeted, “The United States…is helping the Haitian people prepare for elections by providing technical support …strengthening political parties and NGOs, and increasing women’s participation in Haitian politics.” 

History tells us that this “help” only benefits the elite and the interests of the U.S.

The Biden administration continues to foment American foreign policy that backs murderous and repressive dictators.  It falsely claims to be the bastion of democracy or Reagan’s fictional “shining city on a hill.” 

The U.S. occupied Haiti from 1915-34. It backed the notorious dictators Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier and his son Jean Claude “Baby Doc” from 1957 -1986. In 2004, the US overthrew and kidnapped the democratically elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Why is the US backing Moïse?  For over 100 years, the US has backed rigged elections and coups in Haiti. President Biden and members of his administration continue to try and claim the moral high ground and position the US as the international arbiter of democracy and human rights.  

Biden’s administration, like those before his, is trying to bludgeon friend and foe alike into submission with enhanced sanction regimes and military intervention.

Contrary to Biden’s claims, true democracy; the organic development of policies and parties, one person one vote, national sovereignty, and the peaceful transfer of power are not values that are encouraged and protected by the US.  

The world sees it as empty rhetoric.

As the United States claims to campaign for the protection of human rights around the world by calling out China’s alleged repression of Uighurs and Russia’s alleged and unproven targeting of political dissidents, among other abuses; former President Mandela’s statement that the US is “the greatest threat to world peace” could never be closer to the truth. World leaders recognize that President Biden’s lofty rhetoric is no more than the hypocrisy of “American democracy”. 

Dr. Wilmer Leon is the Producer/ Host of the nationally broadcast call-in talk radio program “Inside the Issues with Leon,” on SiriusXM Satellite radio channel 126. © 2021 InfoWave Communications, LLC

Mia Lane

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