Conventional Arms Transfers to Latin America: U.S. Policy (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Aug. 5, 1997 |
| Report Number |
97-512 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Richard Grimmett, Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
This report provides background on United States policy regarding conventional arms transfers
to
Latin America. It focuses on the development of U.S. policy toward arms sales and transfers to Latin
America, and the debate over modifying existing policy and practices regarding such sales and
transfers to countries in this region. United States policy on arms transfers to Latin America, as
implemented, has gone through various modifications over the last forty years. However, there has
always been some reluctance to provide large quantities of arms to this region. And, there has been
a fundamental interest in not making sales or transfers of highly advanced weapons systems, such
as combat fighter aircraft, that could undermine regional military balances or stimulate an arms race.
While there has been no generic "ban" on arms transfers to Latin American nations, there have
been specific legislative controls and executive branch practices applied to this region that have
restricted the flow of American weaponry into it. Recently, United States arms transfer practices
regarding Latin America were clarified by the Clinton Administration, although they remain the
subject of a debate over what approach the United States should follow. A review of the
development of U.S. policy and practices toward arms transfers to this region follows to provide a
context for understanding recent actions.
Some in Congress have expressed concern that the United States might stimulate an avoidable
arms race in Latin America should it permit American defense firms to sell highly advanced weapons
systems to this region. They have expressed particular concern with the prospect that the United
States might sell very sophisticated combat fighter aircraft and the prospect that this would divert
scarce financial resources that could be better spent in other ways. Others argue that it is appropriate
for the United States to assist in the modernization of Latin American military forces, especially in
light of the growth of democratic institutions there, and the practical need some nations have to
replace obsolescent military equipment. Chile is the most likely candidate for a sale that would give
tangible effect to the Clinton Administration's approach to U.S. arms sales to Latin America. Chile
is considering the purchase of a modern combat fighter to upgrade its Air Force. In late March 1997,
the Clinton Administration gave the U.S. companies who build the F-16 and F-18 fighters
permission to provide technical data regarding these aircraft to the Chilean government, while noting
that just because it has permitted U.S. defense companies to compete for the Chilean aircraft sale
does not necessarily mean that it would approve a sale request from Chile's government. If and when
Chile should choose to request the sale of an American fighter aircraft, the Clinton Administration
would, at that point, have to agree to make such a sale or issue an export license for a commercial
sale, and then justify that sale to Congress in accordance with the terms of the Arms Export Control
Act. Congress, in turn, would have the opportunity to disapprove that sale by enactment of a joint
resolution, should it choose to do so.
