Basic HTML Version
THE
SURGING "REDTIDE"
IN
CENTRAL AMERICA
by
Gene H.
Hogb~rg
The Soviets and the Cubans are moving swiftly to expand influence in
Central America. What does this portend
for the future of the free nations of the Western Hemisphere?
O
nce a backwater of
world affa irs, Central
America has grabbed
the headlines- at least tem-
porarily- from the ongoing
crisis in Poland and Eastern
Europe.
Fighting in tiny El Salvador,
the cu rrent main battleline in
the region, generates heated
emotional reaction around the
world. Few individua ls it seems
stop to reflect on a ll t hat is at
stake in the widening dispute.
April 1982
Fewer yet know the main reason
why
turmoil in the region is spread–
ing. It is
not,
as many news maga–
zines portray, primarily a political
and economic struggle between the
" haves" and "have-nots." Here we
make plain the real reason, and why
God is allowing this crisis to punish
the United States for its mounting
sins.
U.S. Presid ent' s View
On February 24, President Ronald
Reagan of the United States
unveiled to the Organization of
American States a sweeping eco-
nomic program for Central Ameri–
ca and the Caribbean. The plan, if
approved by the U .S. Congress,
involves vast ly expanded economic
aid and greater access to U .S. mar–
kets for exports from the region.
In addition, Mr. Reagan warned:
" l f we do not act promptly and
decisively in defense of freedom,
new Cubas will arise from the ruins
of today's conflicts."
"Make no mistake," added the
President, ..the well-being and
security of our neighbors in this
region are in our own vital inter–
ests." He said nearly half of the
5