The political consolidation of 21st century socialism has consciously strengthened the old struggle between Ariel and Caliban. The Latin twentieth century was marked by this fracture described in the work of Uruguayan José Enrique Rodó, an author who was inspired by Shakespeare's "The Tempest". For Arielism, Latin America embodies the superior ideal, the winged spirit, the victory of culture over pragmatism. Ariel is freedom and justice, auctoritas and enlightenment. On the contrary, Caliban, an evil spawn, represents stark realism, technocratic imperialism, the will to power. In short, the absolute triumph of the baser instincts of subject and capital.

Latin political culture has been shaped by this Manichean thinking. From time to time anti-imperialism emerges as an escape valve. The creation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) also responds, to a certain extent, to this desire for confrontation. However, the United States, since before the Obama administration, has been preoccupied with its domestic front. In fact, for years, Washington's allied governments have been demanding greater attention to Latin affairs. Today, the response to this strategic absence is materialized in the baptism of a new regional bloc.

The CEALC is born in civil service examination to the great continental bet that in its time was the Organization of American States. The OAS is not, as its critics claim, a creation of unilateral U.S. imperialism. On the contrary, in a climate of collective voluntarism and sincere pan-American zeal, it achieved form and content. The crisis of which it is a victim afflicts all the organizations that act as political forums. Even the UN is going through a period of questioning and contradictions. This context favors the creation of new initiatives. However, basing them on a cleavage that is harmful to continental unity undermines their integrating role. Moreover, it is in the interest of certain ideological blocs to build external fronts that distract public opinion from the real problems afflicting Latin America.

Let us not deceive ourselves. For the region, the United States is not a real enemy. This is indicated by the 2011 Latinobarometer in which, after Brazil, the U.S. continues to be perceived as a leading state, especially recognized by Mexico and Central America. It is also viewed positively (72%) and continues to be a "country model to follow" (26%), ahead of Spain (19%) and even Brazil (11%). Apparently, Latin Americans do not hate Caliban that much.

The Arielistas were aware of the problems of mega-regional integration. And they opted for subregional processes, in which historical and economic ties would prevail. Only at the end of the road could the Bolivarian dream be glimpsed. The CEALC is starting the house from the rooftops, since on the real level, Peru, Colombia and Chile will maintain their unilateral strategy even though they share with the rest of the countries the declarations of political brotherhood. Brazil, a hesitant hegemon, has for decades been pursuing its own geopolitical goal : consolidating the South American platform. Let us not forget that, to this day, UNASUR continues to be a sweet reverie.

The enemy is not the OAS. Neither is the United States. The fifth column militates among us and is formed by poverty, inequality and suffocating corruption. This is the real Caliban that Latin America must defeat.