The Council of the Americas
The Council of the Americas is a US business organization whose goal is to promote free trade, democracy , and open markets in the Americas . This includes Canada , Mexico , the Caribbean and South America . Its members share a common commitment to ensure social-economic development, open markets, the rule of law, and democracy in the Western Hemisphere .. The Council’s membership consists of leading international companies representing a broad spectrum of sectors, including banking, finance, consulting services, consumer products, energy and mining, manufacturing, media, technology, transport and migrants.
When Fidel Castro came to power in 1959, a regime clearly opposed to that of the United States was established in Cuba. From that moment on, the United States watched with concern the possible expansion of socialism in Latin America. In order to consolidate North American hegemony throughout the continent , in 1963 a business organization, the Council of the Americas (in English, Council of the Americas) was founded.
Its promoter was banker David Rockefeller, grandson of oil magnate John D. Rockefeller. From a political point of view, the propellant of this organization was President John F. Kennedy.
Origins and expansion
Founded in 1963 under the name of Business Group for Latin America by David Rockefeller , at the request of then President John F. Kennedy as a means for companies to fight against the influence of Fidel Castro in Latin America. The Kennedy administration granted investment guarantees, which by 1967 would cost the government six hundred million just for the case of Chile . Almost 30 companies participated in 1965 when the business group was reorganized as the Council for Latin America.Since then, membership has grown to over two hundred blue chip companies that represent the majority of US private investment in Latin America.
Initially, a small group of companies was integrated into the Council of the Americas. Their objective was to promote investments in Latin American countries. With this strategy, it was logically intended to boost the capitalist model to neutralize the ideals of socialism. Since its origins, this organization has defended the democratic system and free trade as fundamental pillars to promote the progress of the American continent.
Over the years, this business group has grown gradually and currently comprises more than 200 companies from all sectors, such as finance, technology, manufacturing or transport.
In business terminology, the large companies that make up the Council of the Americas are known as “blue chips” (a blue chip company is one that has stable stock values and a high level of liquidity). Among them we can highlight the following: Goldman Sachs, Marriot International, Wal-Mart, Microsoft, Grupo Televisa, CEMEX, BBVA, Banco Santander and Credit Suisse.
On the other hand, this organization has promoted the creation of other institutions with similar purposes, such as NAFTA or CAFTA-DR. Many analysts consider the Council of the Americas to be one of the pillars of the globalized economy .
New economic policies in Argentina are endorsed by the Council of the Americas
In 2013, representatives of this organization met in the city of Buenos Aires to analyze the economic situation in Argentina. On the other hand, in 2015, Mauricio Macri assumed the power of the nation. According to some analysts, the two facts mentioned are directly related. Different sectors of Argentine society do not welcome the role of the Council of the Americas, as they understand that the nation’s large companies are controlled by the interests of the Rockefeller family .
Goals of The Council of the Americas
The organization seeks economic and social development, open markets, the rule of law. The Council’s membership consists of leading international companies representing a wide range of sectors, including banking and finance, consulting services, consumer products, energy and mining, manufacturing, media, technology and transportation.
