Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues for the 108th Congress Page: 2 of 21
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Latin America and the Caribbean:
Issues for the 108th Congress
Summary
This report, which will be updated periodically, examines issues in U.S. policy
toward Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing especially on the role of Congress
and congressional concerns. For more details and discussion, see the listed CRS
products after each section.
The Latin American and Caribbean region has made enormous strides over the
past two decades in political development, with all countries but Cuba led by
democratically-elected heads of state. But several nations face considerable
challenges that threaten political stability, including economic decline and rising
poverty, violent guerrilla conflicts, drug trafficking, and increasing crime.
Bush Administration officials maintain that U.S. policy toward Latin America
has three overarching goals: strengthening security; promoting democracy and good
governance; and stimulating economic development. Some observers argue that the
Administration has not been paying enough attention to the region and to instability
in such countries as Argentina and Venezuela. They maintain that the United States,
faced with other pressing foreign policy problems like the confrontation with Iraq and
the global anti-terrorist campaign, has fallen back to a policy of benign neglect of the
region. In contrast, others maintain that the United States has an active policy toward
Latin America and point to the considerable assistance and support provided to
Colombia and its neighbors as they combat drug trafficking and terrorist groups.
They also point to the momentum toward free trade in the region through negotiation
of free trade agreements, and to increased bilateral and regional cooperation on
security issues.
Congressional attention to Latin America in the 108th Congress will likely focus
on counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism efforts in the Andean region, trade issues,
and potential threats to democracy and stability. U.S. counter-narcotics efforts will
focus on continuation of the Andean Regional Initiative supporting Colombia and its
neighbors in their struggle against drug trafficking and drug-financed terrorist groups.
With regard to trade, now that negotiations with Chile for a bilateral free trade
agreement are completed, Congress will likely consider implementing legislation for
the agreement under fast track procedures. Congressional oversight also may focus
on negotiations for a Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement, scheduled for
completion in January 2005, and on negotiations for a free trade agreement with
Central America. Congress may also pay increased attention to economic, social, and
political tensions in South America that could threaten democratic order, particularly
in Venezuela and Argentina. In the Caribbean, Congress will likely continue to
debate the appropriate U.S. policy approach to Cuba, the region's only holdout to
democracy, as it has for the past several years, while Haiti's persistent poverty and
political instability may also remain a congressional concern. Finally, Congress will
likely maintain an active interest in neighboring Mexico, with a myriad of trade,
migration, border and drug trafficking issues dominating U.S.-Mexico bilateral
relations.
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues for the 108th Congress, report, January 30, 2003; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc816125/m1/2/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.