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Colombia: Challenges for U.S. Policymakers in 2021 [Updated September 22, 2021]
From the Document: "Colombia is a key U.S. ally in Latin America and a long-term security partner. For many years, Colombia's prominence in illegal drug production prompted the United States and Colombia to forge close counter-drug ties. Plan Colombia, a U.S.-Colombian program that began in 2000, focused initially on counternarcotics and later on counterterrorism, laying the foundation for an enduring, multifaceted partnership. Hard-hit by waves of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in 2020-2021, Colombia has faced multiple challenges, all while attempting to recover from a pandemic-driven 6.8% economic contraction in 2020. These challenges include (1) spikes in coca cultivation and cocaine production [hyperlink]; (2) violence against human rights and other social activists; (3) mass anti-government protests in mid-2021 that lasted nearly three months; and (4) instability spilling over from Venezuela, including the migration of some 2 million Venezuelans fleeing their homeland's crises."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.
2021-09-22
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated May 21, 2021]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean. As of May 20, 2021, the region had over 31million confirmed cases (19% of cases worldwide) and almost 1 million deaths (29% of deaths worldwide). Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru had the highest numbers of deaths in the region, and Brazil and Mexico had the second- and fourth-highest deaths globally. Looking at mortality (death) rates per 100,000 population, Brazil had the highest recorded COVID-19 mortality rate in the region, followed by Peru, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2021-05-21
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Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy and Key Issues in the 117th Congress [May 3, 2021]
From the Summary: "The United States maintains strong linkages with neighboring Latin America and the Caribbean 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 the region, with free-trade 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 and economic and security conditions. [...] Congress traditionally has played an active role in policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean through both legislation and oversight. In March 2021, Congress passed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (P.L. [public law] 117-2), which included $9.755 billion for foreign assistance to respond to COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] globally, and the House approved H.R. 6, which would provide a pathway to citizenship for those brought to the United States as children and those from countries with temporary protected status (currently including El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Venezuela). [...] To date, congressional hearings have focused on Venezuela, Haiti, the state of democracy in the region, and the root causes of Central American migration. Looking ahead, Congress will likely consider the Administration's FY2022 foreign aid budget request, which, according to the Administration's budget blueprint, will include assistance to address the root causes of migration from Central America."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2021-05-03
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated April 15, 2021]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean. As of April 14, 2021, the region had almost 26.7million confirmed cases(19.3% of cases worldwide) and over 846,000 deaths(28.4% of deaths worldwide). Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru had the highest numbers of deaths in the region, and Brazil and Mexico had highest death tolls worldwide after the United States. The regional rankings change when examining deaths per 100,000 population--using this measurement, Peru had the highest rate in the region, followed by Brazil, Mexico, Panama, and Colombia. A University of Washington COVID-19 projection model (updated April 8, 2021) forecast deaths in the region could reach 1.2 million by August 1, 2021."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2021-04-15
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Mexican Drug Trafficking and Cartel Operations Amid COVID-19 [Updated April 2, 2021]
From the Document: "Mexico is a primary foreign producer and transit country for illicit drugs destined [hyperlink] for the United States. Policymakers, including many in Congress, have closely watched how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting drug flow patterns out of Mexico, including the flow of potent opioids and other illicit drugs. Any changes could affect the extent to which Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), popularly described as cartels, pose a threat to U.S. national security. To date, U.S.-bound illicit drug supplies appear to be returning to pre-pandemic levels, despite early supply chain disruptions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.; Rosen, Liana W.
2021-04-02
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated March 12, 2021]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean. As of March 9, 2021, the region had over 22 million confirmed cases (18.9% of cases worldwide) and almost 704,000 deaths (26.9% of deaths worldwide). Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru had the highest numbers of deaths in the region, and Brazil and Mexico had highest death tolls worldwide after the United States. The regional rankings change when examining deaths per 100,000--using this measurement, Mexico had the highest rate in the region, followed by Peru, Panama, Brazil, and Colombia. [...] A University of Washington COVID-19 projection model (updated Mach 6, 2021) forecast deaths in the region could reach over 885,000 by July 1, 2021."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2021-03-12
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Colombia: Challenges for U.S. Policymakers in 2021 [March 9, 2021]
From the Document: "Colombia's close alliance with the United States has been forged over 20 years from an enduring security and counter narcotics partnership [hyperlink] initiated under Plan Colombia and Peace Colombia. These strategies helped end a five-decade internal armed conflict that killed some 260,000 Colombians and displaced millions. Targeted violence still grips the country, complicated by a steep economic contraction of 6.8% [hyperlink] due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Many Members of Congress continue to focus on priority aspects of the U.S.-Colombia relationship: close collaboration on security and countering illicit drugs that are destined mainly for the U.S. market [hyperlink]; trade, energy, and other forms of cooperation; and Colombia's human rights record and social investment policies to foster post-conflict stability. Illicit cultivation of coca peaked in 2019 but remains at historically high levels, and Colombian cocaine is one driver of an overdose crisis [hyperlink] in the United States. Colombia presents a paradox for some observers. On the one hand, Colombia's reckoning with its long, drug-fueled conflict continues to divide the country. On the other hand, Colombia's innovation in addressing its security challenges, such as receiving nearly 2 million Venezuelans fleeing their crises-ridden country, points to Colombia's continued capacity for regional leadership."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.
2021-03-09
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated February 25, 2021]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean, a region with strong congressional interest because of deep U.S. linkages. As of February 22, 2021, the region had almost 20.8 million confirmed cases (18.6% of cases worldwide) and over 661,000 deaths (26.7% of deaths worldwide). Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru had the highest numbers of deaths in the region, and Brazil had the second-highest death toll worldwide, after the United States. The regional rankings change in terms of per capita deaths-- Mexico had the highest recorded deaths per capita, followed by Peru, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported on February 24 that although infections were declining in many countries in the region, there were increased outbreaks in Peru along the border areas with Brazil and Colombia and several Caribbean countries were reporting a rise in infections. A University of Washington COVID-19 projection model (updated February 20, 2021) forecasts deaths in Latin America and the Caribbean could reach over 924,000 by June 1, 2021."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2021-02-25
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Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy and Issues in the 116th Congress [Updated January 7, 2021]
From the Summary: "The United States maintains strong linkages with neighboring Latin America and the Caribbean 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 countries in the region, with free-trade agreements enhancing economic linkages with 11 countries. The region is a large source of U.S. immigration, both legal and illegal; proximity and economic and security conditions are major factors driving migration. Curbing the flow of illicit drugs has been a key component of U.S. relations with the region for more than four decades and currently involves close security cooperation with Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. U.S. support for democracy and human rights in the region has been long-standing, with current focus on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Overall, although the region has made significant advances over the past four decades in terms of both political and economic development, notable challenges remain and some countries have experienced major setbacks, most prominently Venezuela. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had widespread economic, social, and political effects in the region. By the end of 2020, the region reported over 507,000 deaths (almost 28% of deaths worldwide)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2021-01-07
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Ecuador: An Overview [Updated January 5, 2021]
From the Document: "Ecuador is a small, ethnically and geographically diverse country of 17 million inhabitants, located in South America between Colombia and Peru. In 2017, Lenín Moreno of the leftist Alianza Pais (AP) party was elected president, succeeding President Rafael Correa (2007-2017), a populist leader of the same party who had governed in an increasingly authoritarian manner. Correa, Ecuador's longest-serving president, was reelected three times, bringing stability to Ecuador's previously tumultuous politics. Many thought Correa's socialist 'Citizens' Revolution' movement would continue under President Moreno, who served as Correa's vice president for six years. President Moreno quickly distanced himself from Correa in style and substance, however, and implemented liberal political and economic reforms."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.
2021-01-05
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated December 17, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean, a region with strong congressional interest because of deep U.S. linkages. As of December 15, 2020, the region had over 14.1million confirmed cases(19.4% of cases worldwide) and almost 473,000 deaths(29.2% of deaths worldwide). Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru have the highest numbers of deaths in the region, and Brazil has the highest death toll worldwide after the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2020-12-17
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Mexican Drug Trafficking and Cartel Operations Amid COVID-19 [Updated December 15, 2020]
From the Document: "Mexico is a primary foreign producer and transit country for illicit drugs destined for the United States. Policymakers, including many in Congress, have been closely watching how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected drug flow patterns out of Mexico, including the flow of potent opioids and other illicit drugs. Any changes could affect the extent to which Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations, popularly described as 'cartels', pose a threat to U.S. national security. To date, U.S.-bound illicit drug supplies have persisted, despite early supply chain disruptions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.; Rosen, Liana W.
2020-12-15
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Mexican Drug Trafficking and Cartel Operations Amid COVID-19 [November 19, 2020]
From the Document: "Mexico is a primary foreign producer and transit country for illicit drugs destined for the United States. Policymakers, including many in Congress, have been closely watching how the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected drug flow patterns out of Mexico, including the flow of potent opioids and other illicit drugs. Any changes could affect the extent to which Mexico-based transnational criminal organizations, popularly described as 'cartels', pose a threat to U.S. national security. To date, U.S.-bound illicit drug supplies have persisted, despite early supply chain disruptions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.; Rosen, Liana W.
2020-11-19
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Colombia: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated October 26, 2020]
From the Document: "Colombia, a key U.S. ally in Latin America, endured from the mid-1960s more than a half of century of internal armed conflict. To address the country's prominence in illegal drug production, the United States and Colombia have forged a close relationship over the past two decades. Plan Colombia, a program focused initially on counternarcotics and later on counterterrorism, laid the foundation for an enduring security partnership. [...] The U.S.-Colombia partnership, originally forged on security interests, now encompasses sustainable development, human rights, trade, and wider cooperation. Support from Congress and across U.S. Administrations has been largely bipartisan. [...] For FY2020, Congress provided $448 million for State Department- and USAID-funded programs for Colombia. The House-passed FY2021 foreign aid appropriations bill, H.R. 7608, would provide $457.3 million to Colombia."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.
2020-10-26
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated October 7, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean, a region with strong congressional interest because of deep U.S. linkages."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2020-10-07
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Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy and Issues in the 116th Congress [Updated September 3, 2020]
From the Summary: "The United States maintains strong linkages with neighboring Latin America and the Caribbean 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 countries in the region, with free-trade agreements enhancing economic linkages with 11 countries. The region is a large source of U.S. immigration, both legal and illegal; proximity and economic and security conditions are major factors driving migration. Curbing the flow of illicit drugs has been a key component of U.S. relations with the region for more than four decades and currently involves close security cooperation with Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. U.S. support for democracy and human rights in the region has been long-standing, with current focus on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Overall, although the region has made significant advances over the past four decades in terms of both political and economic development, notable challenges remain and some countries have experienced major setbacks, most prominently Venezuela. [...] Under the Trump Administration, U.S. relations with Latin America and the Caribbean have generally moved toward a more confrontational approach from one of engagement and partnership during past Administrations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2020-09-03
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated September 3, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean, a region with strong congressional interest because of deep U.S. linkages. As of September 2, 2020, the region had almost 6.1 million confirmed cases(almost 28% of cases worldwide) and almost 280,000 deaths(almost 33% of deaths worldwide), with the virus continuing to spread at high levels in several countries. Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and Chile have the highest numbers of deaths in the region, and Brazil has the highest death toll worldwide after the United States.The rankings change in terms of per capita deaths--Peru has the highest recorded deaths per capita in the region, followed by Chile, Brazil, Mexico, and Panama."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Taft-Morales, Maureen; Seelke, Clare Ribando; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2020-09-03
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated August 14, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean, a region with strong congressional interest because of deep U.S. linkages."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Taft-Morales, Maureen; Seelke, Clare Ribando; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2020-08-14
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Mexico: Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Organizations [Updated July 28, 2020]
From the Summary: "Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) pose the greatest crime threat to the United States and have 'the greatest drug trafficking influence,' according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA's) annual 'National Drug Threat Assessment.' These organizations, often referred to as 'transnational criminal organizations' (TCOs), continue to diversify into crimes of extortion, human smuggling, and oil theft, among others. Their supply chains traverse the Western Hemisphere and the globe.Their extensive violence since 2006 has caused Mexico's homicide rate to spike. They produce and traffic illicit drugs into the United States, including heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and synthetic opioids such asfentanyl, and they traffic South American cocaine. Mexican DTO activities significantly affect the security of both the United States and Mexico. As Mexico's DTOs expanded their control of the opioids market, U.S. overdoses rose sharply, according to the Centers for Disease Control, setting a record in 2019 with more than 70% of overdose deaths involving opioids, including fentanyl. Many analysts believe that Mexican DTOs' role in the trafficking and producing of opioids is expanding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.
2020-07-28
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [Updated July 10, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean, a region with strong congressional interest because of deep U.S. linkages. As of July 10, 2020, the region had almost 3.2 million confirmed cases and over 138,000 deaths, with deaths surging in several countries. Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Chile, and Ecuador have the highest numbers of deaths in the region, and Brazil has the highest number worldwide after the United States."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2020-07-10
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Impact of COVID-19 [June 19, 2020]
From the Document: "The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects on Latin America and the Caribbean, a region with strong congressional interest because of deep U.S. linkages. As of June 18, 2020, the region has 1.8 million confirmed cases and over 86,000 deaths, with some countries experiencing a surge in deaths. Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Chile have the highest numbers of deaths in the region, and Brazil now has the highest number of deaths worldwide after the United States. The rankings change in terms of per capita deaths--Ecuador has the highest number of recorded deaths per capita, followed by Peru, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J. . . .
2020-06-19
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Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy and Issues in the 116th Congress [Updated May 21, 2020]
From the Document: "The United States maintains strong linkages with neighboring Latin America and the Caribbean 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 countries in the region, with free-trade agreements enhancing economic linkages with 11 countries. The region is a large source of U.S. immigration, both legal and illegal; proximity and economic and security conditions are major factors driving migration. Curbing the flow of illicit drugs has been a key component of U.S. relations with the region for more than four decades and currently involves close security cooperation with Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. U.S. support for democracy and human rights in the region has been long-standing, with current focus on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Overall, the region has made significant advances over the past four decades in terms of both political and economic development, but notable challenges remain and some countries have experienced major setbacks, most prominently Venezuela. Most significantly in 2020, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having widespread economic, social, and political effects in the region and is currently surging in infections and deaths in some countries."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; DeBruyne, Nese F. . . .
2020-05-21
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Status of Latin America's Anti-Corruption Fight Amid Health and Political Challenges [April 21, 2020]
From the Background: "After sweeping across the region, anti-corruption activism in Latin America appears to have stalled. Populist leaders in Brazil and Mexico campaigned on fighting public corruption during their 2018 elections. However, after more than a year in office, both presidents have demonstrated little progress on significant corruption prosecutions or substantial governmental reform. Elsewhere, in 2019 and early 2020, governments in Central America shut down notable anti-corruption institutions that were approved by wide majorities of their citizens and supported by U.S. policy and assistance. As the region grapples with the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, U.S. policymakers, including Congress, may recall and potentially consider supporting anew the civil society activism that spurred government action in Latin America and the Caribbean."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.
2020-04-21
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Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy and Issues in the 116th Congress [Updated March 10, 2020]
From the Document: "The United States maintains strong linkages with neighboring Latin America and the Caribbean 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 countries in the region, with free-trade agreements enhancing economic linkages with 11 countries. The region is a large source of U.S. immigration, both legal and illegal; proximity and economic and security conditions are major factors driving migration. Curbing the flow of illicit drugs has been a key component of U.S. relations with the region for more than four decades and currently involves close security cooperation with Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. U.S. support for democracy and human rights in the region has been long-standing, with particular current focus on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; DeBruyne, Nese F. . . .
2020-03-10
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Mexico: Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Organizations [Updated December 20, 2019]
From the Summary: "Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) pose the greatest crime threat to the United States and have 'the greatest drug trafficking influence,' according to the annual U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA's) 'National Drug Threat Assessment'. These organizations work across the Western Hemisphere and globally. They are involved in extensive money laundering, bribery, gun trafficking, and corruption, and they cause Mexico's homicide rates to spike. They produce and traffic illicit drugs into the United States, including heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and powerful synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and they traffic South American cocaine. Over the past decade, Congress has held numerous hearings addressing violence in Mexico, U.S. counternarcotics assistance, and border security issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.
2019-12-20
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Designating Mexican Drug Cartels as Foreign Terrorists: Policy Implications [December 6, 2019]
From the Document: "Whether DTO [drug trafficking organization] violence meets the criteria for terrorist activity or terrorism, terms defined in U.S. law, was debated during the Obama Administration and continues to be raised by some Members of Congress. President Trump's comments have reinvigorated this debate and drawn consternation from Mexico. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who took office last December, is under pressure to adopt a security strategy that can successfully deal with the DTOs and reduce drug trafficking-related violence. He has rejected the call for a 'war' on DTOs, which he asserts would increase the number of civilian casualties. He and Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard oppose any U.S. intervention that could be construed as a violation of Mexican sovereignty. López Obrador and Ebrard did discuss bilateral efforts against arms trafficking that has fueled DTO-related violence when they met Attorney General William Barr on December 5."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rosen, Liana W.; Rollins, John W.; Beittel, June S. . . .
2019-12-06
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Colombia: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated November 29, 2019]
From the Document: "Colombia, a key Latin American ally, endured half a century of internal armed conflict. Drug trafficking fueled the violence, funding left- and right-wing armed groups. Some analysts feared in the 1990s that Colombia would become a failed state, but the Colombian government devised a novel security strategy, known as Plan Colombia, to counter the insurgencies. Plan Colombia and follow-on programs ultimately became a 17-year U.S.-Colombian bilateral effort. [...] Congress appropriated more than $10 billion for Plan Colombia and its follow-on programs between FY2000 and FY2016, about 20% of which was funded through the U.S. Department of Defense. Since 2017, Congress has provided nearly $1.2 billion in additional assistance for Colombia. For FY2019, Congress appropriated $418.1 million in foreign aid for Colombia, which encompassed efforts to promote peace and reconciliation, assist rural communities, and continue counternarcotics support through the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Congress has signed two continuing resolutions for FY2020 appropriations, with FY2020 aid levels set to match FY2019 levels through late December 2019."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.
2019-11-29
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Mexico: Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Organizations [Updated August 15, 2019]
From the Document: "Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) pose the greatest crime threat to the United States and have 'the greatest drug trafficking influence,' according to the annual U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA's) National Drug Threat Assessment. These organizations work across the Western Hemisphere and globally. They are involved in extensive money laundering, bribery, gun trafficking, and corruption, while causing Mexico's homicide rates to spike. They produce and traffic illicit drugs into the United States, including heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and powerful synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and they traffic South American cocaine."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.
2019-08-15
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Combating Corruption in Latin America: Congressional Considerations [May 21, 2019]
From the Overview: "This report examines how anti-corruption strategies in U.S. policy and legislation initially evolved from a desire to level the playing field for corporations working in the developing world. At first, U.S. corporations were regulated so they could not bribe or extort to win contracts, and then the focus expanded to helping build more effective institutions and the rule of law in developing countries to ensure more fair, predictable,and transparent systems. The report examines how corruption contributes to wasting public monies, distorting electoral outcomes, and reinforcing criminal structures. Although the fight against corruption is a global effort, this report focuses more closely on U.S. interests in fighting corruption in the region,and how U.S. policy and assistance programs have developed to address that goal. Contemporary anti-corruption efforts in Brazil, Mexico, and Central America are examined as case studies. The report closes with considerations for Congress in conducting its oversight role over U.S. funded anti-corruption efforts in the region and pursuing the policy objective of broadening the rule of law and encouraging good government."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.; Meyer, Peter J.; Seelke, Clare Ribando . . .
2019-05-21
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Ecuador: An Overview [May 20, 2019]
From the Document: "Ecuador is a small, ethnically diverse country of 16.5 million inhabitants located in South America between Colombia and Peru. In April 2017, Lenín Moreno was elected president from the leftist 'Alianza Pais' (AP) party, succeeding President Rafael Correa (2007-2017), a populist leader of the same party. Correa, Ecuador's longest-serving president, was reelected three times, bringing some stability to Ecuador's tumultuous politics. Many thought Correa's 'Citizens' Revolution' would continue under President Moreno, who served as Correa's vice president for six years.President Moreno, however,quickly distanced himself from Correa in style and substance. In recent months, Moreno has adopted market-friendly policies, shown interest in closer relations with the United States,and rejected Venezuela's government under President Nícolas Maduro, which Correa had promoted as an ally."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Beittel, June S.; Gracia, Edward Y.
2019-05-20
