Advanced search    Help

Clear all search criteria

Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).

• Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [September 21, 2011]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "This fact sheet tracks the current heads of government in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It provides the dates of the last and next elections for the head of government and the national independence date for each country."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gomez, Julissa; Sullivan, Mark P.

  2011-09-21
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [Updated June 1, 2007]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "This fact sheet tracks the current heads of government in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and provides the dates of the last and next election for head of government. It also provides the national independence date for each country."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gomez, Julissa; Sullivan, Mark P.

  2007-06-01
• Chile: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations [August 5, 2003]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "A South American nation with a population of about 15 million, Chile returned to democratic rule in 1990 after 17 years of military government. The current administration of President Ricardo Lagos, inaugurated in March 2000 to a six-year term, is Chile's third elected government since the return to civilian rule. Chile has weathered the transition to democracy well, although civil-military relations have been tense at times. The October 1998 arrest of former military ruler General Augusto Pinochet in London on human rights violations exacerbated political schisms in Chile, but in the end, Chilean democracy appears to have emerged stronger with the civilian government more firmly in charge of the military. Chile is generally recognized as a model for the successful implementation of market-oriented economic reform measures, and there has been political consensus in the country on maintaining a liberal market economy and prudent fiscal and monetary policies. The Lagos government has continued the country's export-oriented economic strategy. The economy registered positive growth rates from the mid-1980s through 1998 but contracted in 1999 because of the Asian economic crisis. In 2000, the economy rebounded, but economic growth slowed in 2001 and in 2002 because of the global and regional economic slowdown. Economic growth is forecast to increase by 3.5% in 2003 and 4.5% in 2004, fueled by improvement in consumer and investor confidence and Chile's trade liberalization efforts. U.S. relations with Chile, which improved considerably with the nation's return to democracy in 1990, are close, characterized by strong commercial ties and extensive consultation between the two governments on bilateral and other issues of mutual concern."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2003-08-05
• AIDS in the Caribbean and Central America [Updated November 17, 2003]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean and Central America has begun to have negative consequences for economic and social development, and continued increases in infection rates threaten future development prospects. In contrast to other parts of Latin America, the mode of transmission in several Caribbean and Central American countries has been primarily through heterosexual contact, making the disease difficult to contain because it affects the general population. The Caribbean countries with the highest prevalence or infection rates are Haiti, with a rate over 6%, and the Bahamas, with an adult infection rate of 3.5%. Three Caribbean countries--Guyana, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago -- have rates between 2-3%, while three others, Suriname, Barbados, and Jamaica, have rates over 1%. In Central America, Belize has the highest prevalence rate of 2.2%,while Honduras, Panama, and Guatemala have prevalence rates of 1% or more. […] This report, which will be updated periodically, examines the characteristics and consequences of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean and Central America and the response to the epidemic in the region."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2003-11-17
• Cuba: Issues for the 112th Congress [October 6, 2011]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Cuba remains a one-party communist state with a poor record on human rights. The country's political succession in 2006 from the long-ruling Fidel Castro to his brother Raúl was characterized by a remarkable degree of stability. The government of Raúl Castro has implemented limited economic policy changes, including an expansion of self-employment begun in October 2010. A party congress held in April 2011 laid out numerous economic goals that could increase the private sector. Few observers expect the government to ease its tight control over the political system, although it has reduced the number of political prisoners over the past several years, including the release of over 125 since 2010 after talks with the Catholic Church. [...] Strong interest on Cuba is continuing in the 112th Congress. The House Appropriations Committee version of the FY2012 Financial Services appropriations bill, H.R. 2434, would roll back President Obama's actions easing restrictions on remittances and family travel, while the Senate Appropriations Committee version, S. 1573, does not contain such a provision. Both bills would continue to clarify the definition of 'payment of cash in advance' for U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba during FY2012, while S. 1573 would also prohibit restrictions on direct transfers from a Cuban financial institution to U.S. financial institution in payment for licensed U.S. agricultural and medical exports to Cuba."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2011-10-06
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [January 24, 2012]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "This fact sheet tracks the current heads of government in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It provides the dates of the last and next elections for the head of government and the national independence date for each country. "

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Gomez, Julissa; Sullivan, Mark P.

  2012-01-24
• Latin America: Terrorism Issues [January 5, 2012]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "U.S. attention to terrorism in Latin America intensified in the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, with an increase in bilateral and regional cooperation. In its 2010 Country Reports on Terrorism (issued in August 2011), the State Department maintained that terrorism in the region was primarily perpetrated by terrorist organizations in Colombia and by the remnants of radical leftist Andean groups. Overall, however, the report maintained that the threat of a transnational terrorist attack remained low for most countries in the hemisphere. With regard to concerns about drug trafficking-related violence in Mexico, the State Department terrorism report asserted that 'there was no evidence of ties between Mexican criminal organizations and terrorist groups, nor that the criminal organizations had aims of political or territorial control, aside from seeking to protect and expand the impunity with which they conduct their criminal activity.' Cuba has remained on the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism since 1982 pursuant to Section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act, which triggers a number of economic sanctions. Both Cuba and Venezuela are on the State Department's annual list of countries determined to be not cooperating fully with U.S. antiterrorism efforts pursuant to Section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act. U.S. officials have expressed concerns over the past several years about Venezuela's lack of cooperation on antiterrorism efforts, its relations with Iran, and potential support for Colombian terrorist groups."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2012-01-05
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [November 9, 2011]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "This fact sheet tracks the current heads of government in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It provides the dates of the last and next elections for the head of government and the national independence date for each country. "

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Gomez, Julissa

  2011-11-09
• Cuba's Offshore Oil Development: Background and U.S. Policy Considerations [November 28, 2011]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Introduction: "This report first examines Cuba's oil sector, including current production and consumption levels. It then looks at Cuba's offshore development, including the Repsol project, other offshore projects involving state-owed foreign oil companies, and the outlook for Cuba's offshore oil production. The report then analyzes considerations for the United States raised by Cuba's offshore oil development, examining oil spill risks and environmental dangers if spilled oil reaches U.S. waters, the status of disaster coordination between the United States and Cuba, and potential approaches on the issue. The report then examines the debate over broader U.S. involvement in Cuba's offshore oil development, and touches on two outstanding boundary issues related to Cuba's offshore oil development. Finally, the report examines legislative initiatives that have been advanced to deal with Cuba's offshore oil development."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Nerurkar, Neelesh; Sullivan, Mark P.

  2011-11-28
• Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [August 24, 2011]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Restrictions on travel to Cuba have been a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba's communist government since the early 1960s. Under the George W. Bush Administration, restrictions on travel and on private remittances to Cuba were tightened. In March 2003, the Administration eliminated travel for people-to-people educational exchanges unrelated to academic coursework. In June 2004, the Administration further restricted family and educational travel, eliminated the category of fully-hosted travel, and restricted remittances so that they could only be sent to the remitter's immediate family. Initially there was mixed reaction to the Administration's June 2004 tightening of Cuba travel and remittance restrictions, but opposition to the policy grew, especially within the Cuban American community regarding the restrictions on family travel and remittances. Under the Obama Administration, Congress took action in March 2009 by including two provisions in the FY2009 omnibus appropriations measure (P.L. 111-8) that eased restrictions on family travel and travel related to marketing and sale of agricultural and medical goods to Cuba. Subsequently, in April 2009, President Obama announced that his Administration would go further and allow unlimited family travel and remittances. [...] Interest on the issue of Cuba travel and remittances is continuing in the 112th Congress, with some legislative initiatives aimed at rolling back the Obama Administration's actions to ease restrictions on travel and remittances and others designed to further ease or lift such restrictions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2011-08-24
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues for the 109th Congress [Updated December 21, 2006]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Over the past two decades, the Latin America and Caribbean region has made enormous strides in terms of political and economic development. In 2006, elections for head of government were held in 12 countries in the region, including the close election in Mexico in July, the re-election of presidents in Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, and Venezuela, and the election of former heads of government in Costa Rica, Haiti, Nicaragua, Peru, and St. Lucia. Although the region overall experienced an economic setback in 2002-2003, it has rebounded since 2004. Nevertheless, several nations faced considerable challenges that threatened political stability, including persistent poverty, violent guerrilla conflicts, autocratic leaders, drug trafficking, increasing crime, and the rise of a new form of populism in several countries. Legislative and oversight attention to Latin America and the Caribbean in the 109th Congress focused on continued counternarcotics efforts; trade issues; challenges to democracy, especially in Venezuela; efforts to bring political stability and ameliorate poverty in Haiti; efforts to foster political change in Cuba; and cooperation on migration and border security, especially with Mexico. Since 2000, the Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) has been the primary U.S. program supporting the Colombian government's efforts to combat drug trafficking and terrorist activity perpetrated by guerrilla and paramilitary groups."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Hornbeck, J. F. (John F.); Cook, Colleen W.

  2006-12-21
• Cuba-U.S. Relations: A Chronology of Key Events, 1959 - 1996 [Updated February 18, 1997]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "This chronology outlines major events in U.S.-Cuban relations, from Fidel Castro's rise to power in 1959 through 1996. More detailed information is provided for events since 1993, including the dates of congressional hearings and legislative action, the migration issue, the human rights situation in Cuba, and the Cuban government's implementation of limited economic reforms. Dates are also provided for United Nations resolutions on both the U.S. embargo and the human rights situation in Cuba. For additional information on human rights issues, the State Department's annual human rights report on Cuba provides details of individual cases and trends in the human rights situation. Another excellent source of human rights information is provided in the annual report of the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Cuba."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  1997-02-18
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [Updated January 23, 2008]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "This fact sheet tracks the current heads of government in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and provides the dates of the last and next election for head of government. It also provides the national independence date for each country."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Gomez, Julissa

  2008-01-23
• Cuba: Issues for the 110th Congress [Updated February 29, 2008]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted largely of isolating the communist nation through economic sanctions, which the Bush Administration has tightened significantly. A second policy component has consisted of support measures for the Cuban people, including private humanitarian donations and U.S.-sponsored radio and television broadcasting to Cuba. As in past years, the main issue for U.S. policy toward Cuba in the 110th Congress is how to best support political and economic change in one of the world's remaining communist nations. Unlike past years, however, Congress is now examining policy toward Cuba in the context of Fidel Castro's initially temporary, and now permanent, departure from heading the Cuban government because of poor health. Raúl Castro, who had served as provision head of government since July 2006, was selected on February 24, 2008 by Cuba's legislature to continue in that role officially. In the first session of the 110th Congress, Congress fully funded the Administration's request for $45.7 million for Cuba democracy programs in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY2008 (P.L. 110-161). The act also provided $33.7 million for Radio and TV Marti broadcasting to Cuba, and added Cuba to the list of countries requiring a special notification to the Appropriations Committees for funds obligated under the act. The act did not include provisions easing restrictions on U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba that had been included in the House-passed and Senate-committee versions of H.R. 2829, the FY2008 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill, and in the Senate-committee version of S. 1859, the FY2008 agriculture appropriations bill."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2008-02-29
• Honduran-U.S. Relations [Updated January 30, 2008]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  This report discusses the current political and economic conditions in Honduras, and relations with the United States including trade, foreign assistance, military presence, migrations issues, drug and human trafficking, port security. From the report: "The United States has a close relationship with Honduras, characterized by an important trade partnership, a U.S. military presence in the country, and cooperation on a range of transnational issues. Honduras is a party to the Dominican Republic- Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). There has been extensive cooperation with Honduras on port security. Some 78,000 Hondurans living in the United States have been provided temporary protected status (TPS) since the country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. In early May 2007, TPS was extended until January 2009. U.S. foreign aid to Honduras amounted to almost $53 million in FY2006 and an estimated $46 million in FY2007. The Millennium Challenge Corporation approved a five-year $215 million compact with Honduras in 2005. The Administration requested $43 million in FY2008 foreign aid funding for Honduras. Although foreign aid allocations are not yet available, the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 101-161) provided for levels of Development Assistance and Child Survival and Health assistance for Honduras not lower than that provided in FY2007. The Administration has also requested at least $7.4 million in FY2008 supplemental assistance for Honduras as part of the Administration's Mérida Initiative to boost the region's capabilities to interdict the smuggling of drugs, arms, and people, and to support a regional anti-gang strategy."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2008-01-30
• Latin America: Energy Supply, Political Developments, and U.S. Policy Approaches [Updated April 23, 2008]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "This report examines Latin America's current political environment and its apparent effect on energy production in the region. It also discusses efforts to help many Latin American and Caribbean countries dependent on energy imports, including Venezuela's preferential oil programs, the Mexico-led Meso-American Energy Integration Program, and U.S.-Brazilian cooperation on biofuels. The report also examines policy approaches that have been proposed for increased hemispheric energy cooperation, congressional interest in the topic of hemispheric energy security, and related legislative initiatives: S. 193 (Lugar), the Energy Diplomacy and Security Act of 2007, and S. 1007 (Lugar), the United States-Brazil Energy Cooperation Pact of 2007." "Western Hemisphere countries supply the United States with 50% of its imported crude oil. Three countries in the hemisphere--Canada, Mexico, and Venezuela--account for the lion's share. Other significant oil producers in the region include Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina. In terms of proven oil reserves, the Western Hemisphere has about 24% of reserves worldwide. After Canada, Venezuela has the second largest amount of proven oil reserves in the hemisphere, almost 87 billion barrels, but this does not include as much as 270 billion barrels of extra-heavy and bitumen deposits from the Orinoco belt. If these deposits became recoverable, Venezuela's proven reserves would exceed those of Saudi Arabia. In terms of natural gas, the United States has the largest amount of proven reserves in the hemisphere, about 39%, followed by Venezuela, almost 31%. Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bolivia also have sizable reserves."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Seelke, Clare Ribando; Rush, Rebecca G.

  2008-04-23
• HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean and Central America [Updated April 30, 2008]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean and Central America has begun to have negative consequences for economic and social development in several countries, and continued increases in HIV infection rates threaten future development prospects. In contrast to other parts of Latin America, the mode of HIV transmission in several Caribbean and Central American countries has been primarily through heterosexual contact, making the disease difficult to contain because it affects the general population. The countries with the highest prevalence or infection rates are Belize, the Bahamas, Guyana, Haiti, and Trinidad and Tobago, with rates between 2% and 4%; and Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Jamaica, and Suriname, with rates between 1% and 2%. The response to the AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean and Central America has involved a mix of support by governments in the region, bilateral donors (such as the United States, Canada, and European nations), regional and multilateral organizations, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Many countries in the region have national HIV/AIDS programs that are supported through these efforts. U.S. government funding for HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean and Central America has increased significantly in recent years. Aid to the region rose from $11.2 million in FY2000 to $33.8 million in FY2003. Because of the inclusion of Guyana and Haiti as focus countries in the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), U.S. assistance to the region for HIV/AIDS increased from $47 million in FY2004 to an estimated $139 million in FY2008."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2008-04-30
• Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy and Key Issues for Congress in 2012 [February 14, 2012]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "This report provides an overview of U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean, including the Obama Administration's priorities for U.S. policy and a brief comparison of policies under the Obama and Bush Administrations. It then examines congressional interest in Latin America, first providing an overview, and then looking at selected countries and regional issues and identifying key policy issues facing Congress in 2012. The final section of the report analyzes several upcoming events in the region in 2012 that could have an impact on developments in several countries or on U.S. relations with the region: the Pope's upcoming trip to Cuba in March, the sixth Summit of the Americas in April, Mexico's elections in July, and Venezuela's elections in October. An appendix provides a listing of hearings in the 112th Congress focused on Latin America. For additional information, see the CRS Issues in Focus webpage on 'Latin America and the Caribbean.'"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; Leland, Anne

  2012-02-14
• Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [January 10, 2012]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "In January 2011, the Obama Administration announced policy changes further easing restrictions on travel and remittances. The measures (1) increase purposeful travel to Cuba related to religious, educational, and people-to-people exchanges; (2) allow any U.S. person to send remittances to non-family members in Cuba and make it easier for religious institutions to send remittances for religious activities; and (3) permit all U.S. international airports to apply to provide services to licensed charter flights. These new measures, with the exception of the expansion of eligible airports, are similar to policies that were undertaken by the Clinton Administration in 1999, but subsequently curtailed by the Bush Administration in 2003-2004. In the first session of the 112th Congress, there were several attempts aimed at rolling back the Obama Administration's actions easing restrictions on travel and remittances. Several initiatives were also introduced that would further ease or lift such restrictions altogether. The House Appropriations Committee version of the FY2012 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, H.R. 2434, would have rolled back President Obama's easing of restrictions on remittances and family travel; efforts to include the provision in an FY2012 'megabus' appropriations measure, H.R. 2055, were unsuccessful."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2012-01-10
• Latin America: Terrorism Issues [March 2, 2012]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "U.S. attention to terrorism in Latin America intensified in the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, with an increase in bilateral and regional cooperation. In its 2010 Country Reports on Terrorism (issued in August 2011), the State Department maintained that terrorism in the region was primarily perpetrated by terrorist organizations in Colombia and by the remnants of radical leftist Andean groups. Overall, however, the report maintained that the threat of a transnational terrorist attack remained low for most countries in the hemisphere. With regard to concerns about drug trafficking-related violence in Mexico, the State Department terrorism report asserted that 'there was no evidence of ties between Mexican criminal organizations and terrorist groups, nor that the criminal organizations had aims of political or territorial control, aside from seeking to protect and expand the impunity with which they conduct their criminal activity.' […] Over the past several years, policymakers have been concerned about Iran's increasing activities in Latin America, particularly its relations with Venezuela, although there has been disagreement over the extent and significance of Iran's relations with the region. […] The State Department terrorism report maintains that there are no known operational cells of either Al Qaeda or Hezbollah-related groups in the hemisphere, but noted that 'ideological sympathizers in South America and the Caribbean continued to provide financial and moral support to these and other terrorist groups in the Middle East and South Asia.' In the 112th Congress, several initiatives have been introduced related to terrorism issues in the Western Hemisphere regarding Mexico, Venezuela, and the activities of Iran and Hezbollah, and several oversight hearings have been held." This document also contains maps.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2012-03-02
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [Updated March 12, 2008]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "This fact sheet tracks the current heads of government in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and provides the dates of the last and next election for head of government. It also provides the national independence date for each country."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Gomez, Julissa

  2008-03-12
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [Updated June 2, 2008]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "This fact sheet tracks the current heads of government in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and provides the dates of the last and next election for head of government. It also provides the national independence date for each country."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Gomez, Julissa

  2008-06-02
• Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [July 15, 2011]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Restrictions on travel to Cuba have been a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba's communist government since the early 1960s. Under the George W. Bush Administration, restrictions on travel and on private remittances to Cuba were tightened. In March 2003, the Administration eliminated travel for people-to-people educational exchanges unrelated to academic coursework. In June 2004, the Administration further restricted family and educational travel, eliminated the category of fully-hosted travel, and restricted remittances so that they could only be sent to the remitter's immediate family. Initially there was mixed reaction to the Administration's June 2004 tightening of Cuba travel and remittance restrictions, but opposition to the policy grew, especially within the Cuban American community regarding the restrictions on family travel and remittances. […] Interest on the issue of Cuba travel and remittances is continuing in the 112th Congress. The House Appropriations Committee version of the FY2012 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, H.R. 2434, would roll back President Obama's easing of restrictions on remittances and family travel. In contrast, several initiatives have been introduced that would lift travel restrictions. H.R. 1886 would prohibit restrictions on travel to Cuba. H.R. 1888, in addition to removing some restrictions on the export of U.S. agricultural products to Cuba, would also prohibit Cuba travel restrictions. Two initiatives that would lift the overall Cuba embargo, H.R. 255 and H.R. 1887, also would lift restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba. H.R. 380 would prohibit the Treasury Department from making any funds to implement, administer, or enforce regulations requiring specific licenses for travel-related transactions directly related to educational activities in Cuba. (For further information, see CRS Report R41617, Cuba: Issues for the 112th Congress.)"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2011-07-15
• Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [July 14, 2011]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Restrictions on travel to Cuba have been a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba's communist government since the early 1960s. Under the George W. Bush Administration, restrictions on travel and on private remittances to Cuba were tightened. In March 2003, the Administration eliminated travel for people-to-people educational exchanges unrelated to academic coursework. In June 2004, the Administration further restricted family and educational travel, eliminated the category of fully-hosted travel, and restricted remittances so that they could only be sent to the remitter's immediate family. Initially there was mixed reaction to the Administration's June 2004 tightening of Cuba travel and remittance restrictions, but opposition to the policy grew, especially within the Cuban American community regarding the restrictions on family travel and remittances. […] The House Appropriations Committee version of the FY2012 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, H.R. 2434, would roll back President Obama's easing of restrictions on remittances and family travel. In contrast, several initiatives have been introduced that would lift travel restrictions. H.R. 1886 would prohibit restrictions on travel to Cuba. H.R. 1888, in addition to removing some restrictions on the export of U.S. agricultural products to Cuba, would also prohibit Cuba travel restrictions. Two initiatives that would lift the overall Cuba embargo, H.R. 255 and H.R. 1887, also would lift restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2011-07-14
• Cuba: Issues for the 112th Congress [July 15, 2011]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Cuba remains a one-party communist state with a poor record on human rights. The country's political succession in 2006 from the long-ruling Fidel Castro to his brother Raúl was characterized by a remarkable degree of stability. The government of Raúl Castro has implemented limited economic policy changes, including an expansion of self-employment begun in October 2010. A party congress held in April laid out numerous economic goals that could increase the private sector. Few observers expect the government to ease its tight control over the political system, although it has reduced the number of political prisoners over the past several years, including the release of more than 125 since mid-2010 after talks with the Catholic Church. […] Strong interest on Cuba is continuing in the 112th Congress, focused on a number of issues, including U.S. sanctions, the human rights situation, Cuba's imprisonment of a U.S. government subcontractor, the status of Cuba's economic reforms and its offshore oil development, and U.S. democracy programs. The House Appropriations Committee-approved version of the FY2012 Financial Services Appropriations bill, H.R. 2434, would (in Section 901) roll back President Obama's actions easing restrictions on remittances and family travel and (in Section 618) continue to clarify the definition of 'payment of cash in advance' for U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba during FY2012. (P.L. 112-10, enacted in April 2011, continued the 'payment of cash in advance' provision for FY2011.) Several introduced bills would ease sanctions: H.R. 255 and H.R. 1887 (overall sanctions); H.R. 833 and H.R. 1888 (agricultural exports); and H.R. 380 and H.R. 1886 (travel)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2011-07-15
• Latin America: Energy Supply, Political Developments, and U.S. Policy Approaches [October May 8, 2007]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Western Hemisphere countries supply the United States with almost 50% of its imported oil and petroleum products. Three countries in the hemisphere: Canada, Mexico, and Venezuela, account for the lion's share. Other significant oil producers in the region include Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina...This report examines Latin America's current political environment and its apparent effect on energy production in the region. It also examines regional integration efforts, including Venezuela's oil programs offering oil to many Latin American and Caribbean countries on a preferential basis, the Mexico-led Meso-American Energy Integration Program, and the proposed South American natural gas pipeline. The report also examines policy approaches that have been proposed for increased hemispheric energy cooperation, congressional interest in the topic of hemispheric energy security, and related legislative initiatives."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2007-05-08
• Cuba: Issues for the 110th Congress [Updated September 27, 2007]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy toward Cuba under Fidel Castro has consisted largely of isolating the communist nation through economic sanctions, which the Bush Administration has tightened significantly. A second policy component has consisted of support measures for the Cuban people, including private humanitarian donations and U.S.-sponsored radio and television broadcasting to Cuba. As in past years, the main issue for U.S. policy toward Cuba in the 110th Congress is how to best support political and economic change in one of the world's remaining communist nations. Unlike past years, however, Congress is now examining policy toward Cuba in the context of Fidel Castro's temporary, and potentially permanent, departure from the political scene because of health conditions. In the 110th Congress, both the House-passed and Senate Appropriations Committee reported versions of the FY2008 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill, H.R. 2829, have provisions that would prevent funds from being used to require the payment of cash in advance prior to the shipment of U.S. agricultural goods to Cuba; the Senate version also would ease restrictions on travel to Cuba for the marketing and sale of agricultural and medical goods. S. 1859, the Senate Appropriations Committee version of the FY2008 agriculture appropriations bill, also has a provision that would ease travel restrictions for the marketing and sale of agricultural and medical goods. On July 27, 2007, the House rejected H.Amdt. 707 to H.R. 2419, the 2007 farm bill, that would have facilitated the export of U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba in several ways."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2007-08-21
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Fact Sheet on Leaders and Elections [Updated August 8, 2007]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "This fact sheet tracks the current heads of government in Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and provides the dates of the last and next election for head of government. It also provides the national independence date for each country."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.; Gomez, Julissa

  2007-08-08
• Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [Updated August 21, 2007]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Restrictions on travel to Cuba have been a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate the communist government of Fidel Castro for much of the past 40 years. Over time, there have been numerous changes to the restrictions, and for five years, from 1977 until 1982, there were no restrictions on travel to Cuba. Under the Bush Administration, enforcement of U.S. restrictions on Cuba travel has increased, and restrictions on travel and on private remittances to Cuba have been tightened. In March 2003, the Administration eliminated travel for people-to-people educational exchanges unrelated to academic coursework. In June 2004, the Administration further restricted family and educational travel, eliminated the category of fully-hosted travel, and restricted remittances so that they could only be sent to the remitter's immediate family. In 2005, the Administration further restricted religious travel to Cuba by changing licensing guidelines for such travel. In the 109th Congress, several amendments to FY2006 and FY2007 appropriations bills that would have eased Cuba travel restrictions were defeated. Several bills were introduced that would have lifted or eased restrictions on travel and the provision of remittances to Cuba, but no action was taken on these measures. In the 110th Congress, two pending Senate Appropriations Committee-reported versions of appropriations bills have provisions that would ease restrictions on travel to Cuba for the marketing and sale of agricultural and medical goods."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2007-08-21
• Cuba: Issues for the 110th Congress [Updated July 20, 2007]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy toward Cuba under Fidel Castro has consisted largely of isolating the communist nation through comprehensive economic sanctions, which have been significantly tightened by the Bush Administration, including restrictions on travel, private humanitarian assistance, and payment terms for U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba. A second component of U.S. policy has consisted of support measures for the Cuban people, including private humanitarian donations and U.S.-sponsored radio and television broadcasting to Cuba. As in past years, the main issue for U.S. policy toward Cuba in the 110th Congress will be how to best support political and economic change in one of the world's remaining communist nations. Unlike past years, however, Congress is now examining policy toward Cuba in the context of Fidel Castro's temporary, and potentially permanent, departure from the political scene because of health conditions. Over the past several years, one or both houses have at times approved legislative provisions that would ease U.S. sanctions on Cuba, but ultimately these provisions have been stripped out of the final enacted measures, in part because of presidential veto threats. […] The House-passed version of the FY2008 foreign aid appropriations measure, H.R. 2764, would fully fund the Administration's request for $45.7 million for Cuba democracy programs, while the Senate Appropriations Committee report to the bill would recommend $15 million. The House-passed version would prohibit funding for counternarcotics cooperation with Cuba, while the Senate version would provide $1 million."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Sullivan, Mark P.

  2007-07-20