Shortly before leaving to inspect what was once viewed as the USβs backyard, US President George Bush told a March 5 event organised by the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, βI want to talk about [an] important priority for our country, and that is helping our neighbours to the south of us build a better and productive lifeβ. Explaining that he was embarking on a trip to Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico, Bush said: βThese are countries that are part of a region that has made great strides toward freedom and prosperity. Theyβve raised up new democracies, Theyβve enhanced and undertaken fiscal policies that bring stability.