Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues for the 108th Congress (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Dec. 20, 2004 |
| Report Number |
RL31726 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Mark P. Sullivan, J.F. Hornbeck, Clare Ribando, K. Larry Storrs, Maureen Taft-Morales, and Connie Veillette, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
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Summary:
The Latin American and Caribbean region has made enormous strides over the past two decades
in
political development, with all countries but Cuba having regular free and fair elections for head of
state. But several nations have faced considerable challenges that have threatened 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 several countries. They maintain that the
United States, faced with other pressing foreign policy problems like the war in 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 numerous free trade agreements, and to increased bilateral and regional
cooperation on security issues.
Congressional attention to Latin America in the 108th Congress continued to 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 focused on continuation of the
Andean Counterdrug Initiative supporting Colombia and its neighbors in their struggle against drug
trafficking and drug-financed terrorist groups. With regard to trade, Congress approved
implementing legislation for a bilateral free trade agreement with Chile in July 2003; the United
States signed a combined U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement
(DR-CAFTA) on August 5, 2004, but Congress did not consider implementing legislation before the
end of the 108th Congress. Congress also paid increased attention to economic, social, and political
tensions in South America that threatened democratic order, particularly in the Andean region. In
the Caribbean, Haiti's persistent poverty and political instability remained a congressional concern,
as did assistance to Haiti and other Caribbean nations in the aftermath of devastating damage
incurred by hurricanes and storms in 2004. Congress also continued to debate the appropriate U.S.
policy approach to Cuba, the region's only holdout to democracy, as it did for the past several years.
Finally, Congress maintained an active interest in neighboring Mexico, with a myriad of trade,
migration, border and drug trafficking issues dominating bilateral relations.
This report examines issues in U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean in the 108th
Congress. It reflects final actions of the 108th Congress and will not be updated. For more details
and discussion, see the listed CRS products after each section.
