As the world watches Progress of the American electionsmany, especially in Latin America, believe that Trump is the only option to prevent the decline of American economic power and influence.

Joseph Humire, a Latin America expert and executive director of the Center for a Secure Society think tank, told Fox News Digital that many Latin Americans are hoping for a Trump victory on November 5.

Humire said that The Biden administration’s policy towards Latin America this made it “the worst I’ve seen”.

“Over the last four years, the region has taken a very difficult direction,” he said. “Food inflation is very high. Organized crime and violence is very high. And, you know, little by little they are losing their democratic practices. There is a huge democratic backsliding in the region.”

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President Trump throws away a roll of paper towels during his visit to the Cavalry Chapel in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, October 3, 2017. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

According to Humire, Latin Americans believe that if Vice President Kamala Harris were elected, she would continue the policies of the Biden administration and thus continue the region’s economic decline and stagnation.

On the other hand, Humire said the Latino population associates Trump’s presidency with a time when they experienced greater prosperity and sees it as a sign of hope for better times, when states The United States was investing more in the region and the economy was not as good. dark. These people believe that Trump’s plan to reduce US dependence on China this would mean an increase in American investment in Latin America.

“Most Latin American countries are very keen to welcome investment from the United States,” he explained. “If Kamala Harris wins, then you might have a lot of agnostic attitudes, but you’ll have people saying, ‘The United States is pretty much done.’ On the other hand, if President Trump wins, I think you’ll see a huge reaction in Latin America, I think you’ll see a lot of enthusiasm, not just from government leaders, but also from the people. “

He also said many politicians were closely watching the US elections, hoping they would strengthen the ambitions of existing conservative and populist movements in South America. As American influence in Latin America waned, this void filled by Russia, China and Iranwhich had a degrading effect on democracy in the region, Humire said.

Argentine President Javier Milei serves as an example of a recently emerged populist leader who said he was inspired by Trump’s success in the United States. Humire believes that a Trump victory on election night could lead to the emergence of a slate of additional conservative leaders across Latin America, particularly in countries close to Argentina like Chile and Colombia.

Argentine President Javier Milei addresses the 79th United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York on September 24, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Segar)

As for the cartels, Humire said a Harris victory would essentially mean it would be business as usual.

“If Kamala wins,” he said, “they know they will view this as an extension of President Biden, and they know how to go about it. They’ve had a lot of success over the last four years, transforming much of the situation from the policy failures of the Biden administration to profits and successes for transnational criminal organizations.

Meanwhile, although some believe Trump’s strongman rhetoric projects the kind of strength that is needed today, the consensus in Europe and the UK is that Harris should be the next US president, according to Alan Mendoza, British political analyst and founder of the Henry Jackson Society.

Mendoza told Fox News Digital that “if Europe and the United Kingdom voted, Kamala Harris would win by a landslide.”

“Donald Trump is obviously not playing for the European public. He is not trying to win the hearts and minds of Europeans,” he said.

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Vice President Kamala Harris (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images/File)

Mendoza said many Europeans fear that Trump will end all aid to Ukraine and pull the United States out of NATO at a time when The Russian threat is growing on the continent.

“We understand the threats. Russia is at our doorstep,” he said.

On the other hand, he pointed out that Harris lacked foreign policy experience. He said some believed Trump would “restore” a sense of American strength and power that had dissipated under the Biden administration.

Mendoza said the impact of a Trump or Harris administration on Europe will depend on who it appoints to crucial positions, such as secretary of state.

“A lot of it depends on which version of the administrations come forward,” he said. “One way or the other, it will clearly be a gamble as far as Europe is concerned.”

A freed Ukrainian prisoner of war is shown with his relatives after an exchange at an undisclosed location in this photo obtained October 19, 2024. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/via Reuters)

Beyond that, Mendoza said Trump’s personality did not mesh well with European sensibilities. Whether justified or not, Mendoza said Europeans feel, reinforced by European media coveragethat Trump is undemocratic, isolationist and ultraconservative on social issues like abortion.

“This was expressed very well by the historian Niall Ferguson quite recently, who said that if your main concern is the American empire, that is, American power abroad, you are going to support Trump, and If your main concern is the American republic, that is, democracy at home, you might very well vote for Kamala Harris,” he said.

No matter who they support, like most Americans, Mendoza said Europeans will closely follow the election results.

“American elections are observed all over the world,” he said. “And of course, Europe and the UK are no different in this regard. This is the most important thing. Even in this year of many elections, everyone understands the importance of the US elections.”

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