Colombian Chaos Bridges Geopolitical Divides in South America

Brazil reportedly is planning to establish 13 military bases along its northern borders to combat the increasing spillover of guerrilla activity and narcotics trafficking into the Amazon region. Along with the Andes, the Amazon has long served as an effectively impermeable boundary, dividing South American politics into distinct and isolated regions. The Amazon is becoming permeable, and as Brazil increases its military presence along the borders, Brasilia will find itself enmeshed in situations from which it formerly could remain detached. In the process, South America finally will become one geopolitical sphere.