South American Defense Council : Failure or First Step?

Abstract

The creation of the South American Defense Council (CDS), in 2008, represented a Brazilian initiative for greater integration in the defense area. In this sense, it was extremely important, since it has deepened regional integration, becoming a new tool for the construction of an increasingly integrated subcontinent, peaceful and that converges geopolitical thinking. At the time of its creation, political and economic conditions have contributed to its initial development, even with the distrust of one or the other. Integrating the Union of South American Nations (UNASUL), a broader political organization, the CDS is part of a process of increasing regional cooperation that, since the 1980s, has broadened its scope and allowed a relaxation of regional rivalries more effectively and independently. At the same time, democracy has been strengthened and regional organizations, especially the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUL), have increased mutual trust and political and commercial relations. On the other hand, since 2014, with the economic and political crisis in several South American countries, UNASUL is paralyzed and the future of the CDS threatened and pending. The Organization of American States (OEA) and the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR), existing defense organizations until the creation of the CDS, have not evolved enough and lack legitimacy, since they are under clear american influence. There were several contributions from the new Council and some possibilities were glimpsed, some of which are very relevant, even if they still need more attention. This paper will analyze this topic, studying the meaning and results of the CDS until now, trying to build a perspective for its future, taking into account the current circumstances in South America (SA).