Globalization of Political Crimes

Alvaro Vargas Llosa applauds the arrest of Alberto Fujimori in Chile. He neglects to mention that Fujimori literally forced Vargas Llosa into exile. He also takes a shot at Toledo's government (again) failing to disclose his infamous about face on the Peruvian Prez that resulted in an odd internal exile that he has yet to fully explain. Let's not nitpick it is an interesting piece on how globalization has produced an unexpected benefit - the long arm of the law. States are more willing to take on deposed leaders for crimes they committed while in power. I too am thrilled to see deposed despots but have long felt a certain ambivalence toward this trend.

Assume that you are a tyrant at the end of the line. The US is hassling you, the UN is on your ass and even the French aren't taking your calls. You realize that this isn't really worth it anymore. It is time to move on and go to a Brazilian beach with the billions you stole. Then you wonder, "Will they do me like they did Augosto?" You are perceived to be a right wing despot so you can't help but fret that Balthasar Garzon is getting his papers in order. He knows that your time is running up and now he is going to hound you until you are either dead or infirm. Maybe it would make more sense just to stick around and see what happens.

I find it odd that states get all tough on former tyrants. While these presidents for life are in power these very same states either sit on their hands or offer them up to lend assistance. Garzon's own party is Fidel Castro's greatest facilitator. How about going after tyrants while they are still doing damage as opposed to waiting until they have already destroyed a country? By the way a CFR study published two years ago raised some concerns about this trend aswell.