Latin America

Could Latin America help with Afghan refugee crisis?

Over the 20 years of US-led war in Afghanistan, Latin America did not get involved. Now, three countries have offered to receive a limited number of refugees

Afghan security forces around Kabul just before the Taliban take over the country. Photo: Trent Inness/Shutterstock
Afghan security forces around Kabul just before the Taliban take over the country. Photo: Trent Inness/Shutterstock

When the U.S. started its war in Afghanistan, Latin America stayed out of it. The George W. Bush administration (2001-2009) built a 58-country coalition to support its military intervention in the Central Asian country, but from Latin America, only El Salvador joined the group — offering nonmilitary support. Many of the region’s countries, such as Venezuela and Cuba, criticized the invasion at the time – something they will feel justified about, seeing the catastrophic withdrawal of U.S. troops and the resurgence of the Taliban.

Others, such as Costa Rica, Mexico, and Chile, have now announced they would be accepting refugees from the war-torn nation.

The decision comes after UN Secretary-General António Guterres, among other influential voices, called for countries to open their doors to help alleviate the crisis, with thousands of Afghans fearing reprisals for their collaboration with the U.S.-led occupation and its outgoing authorities. Others...

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