Latin America and the Cribbean: U.S. Policy Overview
Date of Publication
1-1-2023 12:00 AM
Security Theme
Political Stability
Keywords
Economic concerns, political concerns, security concerns, Biden administration policies, political stability
Description
The United States and neighboring Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) maintain strong linkages based on geographic proximity and diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and security concerns. The United States is a major trading partner and source of foreign investment for many of the 33 countries in LAC, with freetrade agreements enhancing economic linkages with 11 countries. The region is a large source of U.S. immigration, both authorized and irregular; major factors driving migration include proximity, economic and security conditions, natural disasters, and familial ties. Curbing the flow of illicit drugs has been a long-standing component of relations, involving close cooperation with Mexico, Colombia, Central America, and the Caribbean. U.S. Administrations have long supported democracy and human rights in the region, with a current focus on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela—all ruled by authoritarian governments repressing the political opposition—and on democratic backsliding and corruption in other countries.
Latin America and the Cribbean: U.S. Policy Overview
The United States and neighboring Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) maintain strong linkages based on geographic proximity and diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and security concerns. The United States is a major trading partner and source of foreign investment for many of the 33 countries in LAC, with freetrade agreements enhancing economic linkages with 11 countries. The region is a large source of U.S. immigration, both authorized and irregular; major factors driving migration include proximity, economic and security conditions, natural disasters, and familial ties. Curbing the flow of illicit drugs has been a long-standing component of relations, involving close cooperation with Mexico, Colombia, Central America, and the Caribbean. U.S. Administrations have long supported democracy and human rights in the region, with a current focus on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela—all ruled by authoritarian governments repressing the political opposition—and on democratic backsliding and corruption in other countries.
