How can the US improve its foreign policy toward Latin America?

Let's mix things up a little. Bellow is a more political post on the broader topic of geopolitical relations between the United States and the Latin American continent. Feel free to leave your thoughts, comments, different points of view! Cheers.

The United States has adopted a paternalistic foreign policy with the majority of the developing world for decades. US-Latin American geopolitical relations have been marred with interventionism, be it militarily or economically. The current political and financial crisis in Brazil suffices to depict the current standstill on the American continent. Washington policymakers seem to be rightly concerned by turmoil on the American continent but repeatedly neglect to advance free trade agreements, foreign investments or the business climate. I will begin by suggesting several political approaches that would help redefine US foreign policy toward Latin America, while then focusing on the importance of improving these inter-dependent economic dynamics.
Historically, Latin America continues to remember the perverse effects of US military interventionism. Conversely, the United States seems to view its southern neighbors strictly from a Cold War perspective. For example, the State Department has been quick to ostracize nations with left-leaning political views such as Venezuela or Bolivia. These diplomatics stalemates seem to have greatly affected the perception of US foreign policy in the region. Most recently, the simple suggestion of political asylum from Ecuador for government employee runaway, Edward Snowden, was extrapolated into threats of closing free-market relations. Similarly, the Secretary of State’s naive declaration that the Western Hemisphere is the “backyard” of the United States resulted in the expulsion of USAID in Bolivia. The Latin American continent does not need another colonial power to remove its socialist leaders or eradicate its drug cartels. Those are domestic realities that ought to be dealt with over time. On the other hand, the United States offers a democratic model with the rule of law, checks and balances in power as well as a free society. That is why US foreign policy ought to present Latin American nations with the opportunity for a balanced dialogue where all American countries might engage as economic partners in the advancement of their national self-interests.
During the last century the world’s geopolitical center has shifted from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. US-Asian trade has surged to the detriment of Latin American countries. The southern hemisphere continues to be exploited for its natural resources and agricultural productivity rather than its rising middle class potential. The region has also experienced strong and constant economic growth while foreign investments remain scarce. The United States would therefore be strengthening both its foreign policy and economic heterogeneity by advancing private-public partnerships in these developing countries. Latin America has successfully emerged as a stable and influential trading partner. Moreover, the United States is not the superpower it use to be and must learn to interact in an interdependent global economy. Major conurbations have developed along the Latin American coast and present a high demand for services. US diplomats ought to be advocating for commercial investments rather than military subsidies. Indeed, Latin America remains plagued by government corruption and US foreign policy could be a key player in lobbying for greater transparency. All things said, the United States would greatly increase its presence and understanding of Latin America by improving its economic presence in the region.
To conclude, US foreign policy holds the opportunity to partner with its Latin American neighbors both diplomatically and economically. US military interventionism failed to stabilize the continent whereas the middle class has succeeded in progressively strengthening the political and economic climate. That is why US backed economic development in Latin America would be a gateway toward a stronger foreign policy in the region.