Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy Overview

U.S. interests in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are diverse and include economic, political, security, and humanitarian concerns. Geographic proximity has ensured strong economic linkages between the United States and LAC, with the United States a major trading partner and source of foreign investment for many regional countries. Free-trade agreements (FTAs) have augmented U.S. economic relations with 11 countries in the region. LACis also a large source of U.S. immigration, both authorized and unauthorized; economic and security conditions are major factors driving migration trends.