Latin American Politicians Seek to Undermine Vital Antitrust Agencies
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Independent competition agencies like COFECE in Mexico promote consumer welfare and efficiency in free market economies through antitrust enforcement.
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Politicians in some Latin American countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina are attempting to eliminate or undermine the independence of competition agencies.
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If not independent, competition agencies can be captured by politicians and stop working for the public good.
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No serious scholars advocate completely abolishing antitrust rules and agencies - some reform can be beneficial but eliminating agencies would severely damage free markets.
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Companies would likely take advantage of weakened antitrust enforcement to form cartels, consolidate, and harm consumers if oversight is removed.