Ahead of the election, what do Latin Americans and Europeans think about Donald Trump and Kamala Harris?

As the world watches the U.S. presidential election unfold, many people, especially those in Latin America, believe that Trump is the only option to prevent a decline in U.S. economic power and influence.

Joseph Humia, a Latin American expert and executive director of the think tank Center for Safe Communities, told Fox News Digital that many Latin Americans expect President Trump to win on November 5th. spoke.

Humire said the Biden administration's Latin America policy had the “worst results I've ever seen.”

“For the past four years, this region has been going in a very difficult direction,” he said. “Food inflation is really high. Organized crime and violence is really high. And you know, they're losing democratic practices little by little. There's a massive backsliding of democracy in the region. I’m awake.”

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Humire said Latinos believe that Vice President Kamala Harris, if elected, will continue the Biden administration's policies, resulting in continued economic decline and stagnation in the region.

Humire, on the other hand, said people in Latin America associate Trump's presidency with a time when they experienced greater prosperity, compared to a time when U.S. investment in the region expanded but the economy was not as strong. He said he sees President Trump as a sign of hope for better times. dark. These people believe that President Trump's plan to reduce U.S. dependence on China means increased U.S. investment in Latin America.

“Most countries in Latin America are very keen on investment from the United States,” he explained. “If Kamala Harris wins, there may be a lot of agnosticism, but people will say, “America is finished.'' Conversely, if President Trump wins, Latin America will I think you're going to see a huge response, I think you're going to see a lot of enthusiasm not just from government leaders but from the public as well.”

He also said that many politicians are closely watching the US presidential election and hope that it will increase the ambitions of existing conservative populist movements in South America. As U.S. influence in Latin America weakens, the vacuum is being filled by Russia, China and Iran, with negative consequences for democracies in the region, Humire said.

Argentina's President Javier Millay is an example of a recent populist leader who has said he was inspired by Trump's success in the United States. Humir believes a Trump victory on election night could lead to the rise of more conservative leaders, especially across Latin America. Even in countries close to Argentina such as Chile and Colombia.

Argentina's President Javier Millay addresses the 79th United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York, September 24, 2024. (Reuters/Mike Seeger)

As for the cartels, a Harris victory essentially means business as usual, Humia said.

“If Mr. Kamala wins, they will see it as an extension of the Biden presidency, and they know how to make that happen. They've been pretty successful over the last four years, shifting a lot of policy. ” he said. They will become even more of the same, as the Biden administration's policy failures have led to the profits and successes of transnational criminal organizations. ”

Meanwhile, Alan Mendoza, a British political analyst and founder of Henry magazine, said while some believe President Trump's strongman rhetoric reflects the strength needed today, Europe and the U.K. The consensus is that Harris should become the next president of the United States. Jackson Society.

“If Europe and the United Kingdom were voting, Kamala Harris would win by a landslide,” Mendoza told Fox News Digital.

“Donald Trump is clearly not playing to a European audience. He's not trying to win the hearts and minds of Europe.”

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Vice President Kamala Harris (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/File via Getty Images)

Mendoza said many Europeans fear President Trump will cut off all aid to Ukraine and pull the United States out of NATO, as the Russian threat looms large on the continent.

“We understand the threat. Russia is looming.”

On the other hand, he pointed out that Harris has little experience in foreign policy. He said some believe Trump will “restore” America's sense of strength and authority that disappeared during the Biden administration.

Mendoza said the impact the Trump and Harris administrations have on Europe will depend on who they appoint to key positions such as secretary of state.

“A lot of this will depend on what version of the government emerges,” he said. “As far as Europe is concerned, it's clearly a gamble either way.”

This handout photo obtained on October 19, 2024 shows freed Ukrainian prisoners of war and their relatives being exchanged at an undisclosed location (Ukraine Presidential Press Service/Reuters)

Mendoza also said that Trump's personality does not mesh well with European sensibilities. Mendoza said that whether justified or not, Europeans have the impression, reinforced by European media coverage, that President Trump is anti-democratic, isolationist, and ultra-conservative on social issues such as abortion. He said that

“It was said very well recently by the historian Niall Ferguson, who said that if your main concern is American empire, that is, American power overseas, you will support Trump. , if your main concern is the American republic — democracy at home — then you might as well vote for Kamala Harris,” he said.

Like many Americans, Mendoza said Europeans will be watching the election results roll in, regardless of who they support.

“The U.S. presidential election is being watched around the world,” he said. “And, of course, Europe and the United Kingdom are no exception in this respect. This is a big election. Even in this year of elections, everyone understands the importance of the American election.”

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