In the nineteenth century the independent Spanish American republics looked to France rather than poor Spain, so France invented the term "Latin America", as part of ¨Latinity," which would include countries like Romania. Spain resented this usurpation of its role in Spanish America, so it began promoting the term Ïberoamerica," which would include Portugal and Brazil. Brazil does not like the term.

In the old days, speaking French in Brazil was a proof of culture. We had a Brazilian staying with us who spoke terrible French. When we had company, he would say to the guests "I speak excellent French, don´t I, Professor Hilton?" I was obliged to agree.

Brazil is a huge country as close to Europe as to the United States, and it welcomes the promoton of "Latin America" by France. The two countries have created a Latin American Prize, which they award jointly. The Mexican author Carlos Fuentes has just received the award. He was Ambassador to France and is critical of the United States. At the same time, the gesture shows that Mexico is a part of Latin America. This ties in the the constant argument in "Latin" America about the term to use. "Indoamérica," favored by the Peruvian Apristas, seems to have faded away.

Ronald Hilton - 03/16/99