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Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 115th Congress [September 1, 2018]
"Political and economic developments in Cuba and U.S. policy toward the island nation, located just 90 miles from the United States, have been significant congressional concerns for many years. Especially since the end of the Cold War, Congress has played an active role in shaping U.S. policy toward Cuba, first with the enactment of the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 (CDA; P.L. 102-484, Title XVII) and then with the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-114). Both measures strengthened U.S. economic sanctions on Cuba that had first been imposed in the early 1960s but also provided road maps for a normalization of relations, dependent upon significant political and economic changes in Cuba. Congress partially modified its sanctions-based policy toward Cuba when it enacted the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (TSRA; P.L. 106-387, Title IX) allowing for U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2018-09-01
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Argentina [July 23, 2018]
"Current President Mauricio Macri--leader of the centerright Republican Proposal and the Cambiemos (Let's Change) coalition representing center-right and center-left parties--won the 2015 presidential election in a close race. Macri defeated the candidate of the leftist faction of the Peronist party (Front for Victory, or FPV) led by outgoing President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who was ineligible to run for a third consecutive term. Macri's election ended 12 years of FPV rule by the Kirchners (Néstor Kirchner, 2003-2007, and Cristina Fernández, 2007-2015). The Kirchners' rule helped Argentina emerge from a severe economic crisis in 2001-2002 but was characterized by protectionist and unorthodox economic policies and increasing corruption."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2018-07-23
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Cuba: U.S. Policy Overview [July 2, 2018]
"Since the early 1960s, when the United States imposed a trade embargo on Cuba, the centerpiece of U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted of economic sanctions aimed at isolating the Cuban government. In December 2014, however, the Obama Administration initiated a major policy shift, moving away from sanctions toward a policy of engagement and the normalization of relations. The policy change included the rescission of Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of international terrorism in May 2015; the restoration of diplomatic relations in July 2015; and steps to increase travel, commerce, and the flow of information to Cuba."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2018-07-02
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Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 115th Congress [May 11, 2018]
"Cuba remains a one-party authoritarian state with a poor record on human rights. Current President Miguel Díaz-Canel succeeded Raúl Castro on April 19, 2018. Castro had announced in 2013 that he would step down after his second term. Díaz-Canel, who had been serving as First Vice President, was widely viewed as the 'heir apparent' as president, even though Raúl is continuing in his position as first secretary of Cuba's Communist Party. Under Raúl, Cuba implemented gradual market-oriented economic policy changes over the past decade, but critics maintain that the government did not take enough action to foster sustainable economic growth. Most observers do not anticipate significant policy changes under Díaz-Canel, at least in the short term, but the new president faces two enormous challenges--reforming the moribund economy and responding to desires for greater freedom."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2018-05-11
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Cuba After the Castros [May 2, 2018]
"As expected, Cuban President Raúl Castro stepped down from power on April 19, 2018, and the communist government's 605-member National Assembly of People's Power selected First Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez as president of the Council of State. Pursuant to Cuba's Constitution (Article 74), the president of the Council of State is also Cuba's head of state and government. Castro, currently 86 years old, just finished his second five-year term as president. He will remain in his position as first secretary of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC), which could give him continued influence over government policy. [...] Although some analysts believe Díaz-Canel to be a moderate and potentially more open to reform, a leaked video from August 2017 appears to contradict that characterization. The video shows him speaking at a closed Communist Party meeting earlier in the year strongly criticizing dissidents and independent voices (including those arguing for political reform), criticizing the expansion of Cuba's private sector, and characterizing U.S. efforts toward normalization under President Obama as an attempt to destroy the Cuban revolution. Some observers speculate that Díaz-Canel's rhetoric could have been aimed at increasing his acceptance by so-called hard-liners in Cuba's political system who are more resistant to change."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2018-05-02
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Cuba After the Castros [April 17, 2018]
"Cuban President Raúl Castro is expected to step down from power on April 19, 2018 (although some reports indicate it could be a day earlier) when the communist government's 605-member National Assembly of People's Power selects a new president and 30 other members of the Council of State. Pursuant to Cuba's Constitution (Article 74), the president of the Council of State is also Cuba's head of state and government. Castro, currently 86 years old, is in his second five-year term and indicated in 2013 that he would not seek a third term. Most observers expect First Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez to be chosen as president, although Raúl is expected to continue in his position as first secretary of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC), which could give him continued influence over government policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2018-04-17
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Issues in the 115th Congress [March 12, 2018]
"Geographic proximity has ensured strong linkages between the United States and Latin America and the Caribbean, based on diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and security concerns. The United States is a major trading partner and the largest 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; geographic proximity and economic and security conditions are major factors driving migration trends. Curbing the flow of illicit drugs has been a key component of U.S. relations with the region for more than three 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 and currently focuses on Cuba and Venezuela."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.; DeBruyne, Nese F. . . .
2018-03-12
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Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [December 4, 2017]
"Restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba have constituted a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba's communist government since the early 1960s. Such restrictions are part of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR), the overall embargo regulations administered by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). [...] The Obama Administration lifted all restrictions on family travel and remittances in 2009. In 2011, the Administration eased restrictions on other types of travel, including travel related to religious, educational, and people-to-people exchanges, and allowed any U.S. person to send remittances to individuals in Cuba. As part of President Obama's major shift in U.S. policy toward Cuba in December 2014, which moved the U.S. approach away from a sanctions-based policy toward one of engagement, the Administration took actions that considerably eased restrictions on nonfamily travel and remittances. [...] In June 2017, the Trump Administration announced a partial rollback of U.S. engagement toward Cuba that included the elimination of individual people-to-people travel and restrictions on financial transactions with companies controlled by the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services or personnel. [...] This report examines developments in U.S. policy restricting travel and remittances to Cuba, current permissible travel and remittances, enforcement of the travel restrictions, and debate on lifting the travel restrictions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-12-04
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Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 115th Congress [November 22, 2017]
"Cuba remains a one-party authoritarian state with a poor record on human rights. Current President Raúl Castro succeeded his long-ruling brother Fidel Castro in 2006, and he is expected to step down in February 2018. Most observers see First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel as the 'heir apparent' as president, although Raúl likely will continue in his position as first secretary of Cuba's Communist Party. Under Raúl, Cuba has implemented gradual market-oriented economic policy changes over the past decade, but critics maintain that the government has not taken enough action to foster sustainable economic growth. Few observers expect the government to ease its tight control over the political system, especially as the country approaches its political succession in 2018. [...] Congress has played an active role in shaping policy toward Cuba, including the enactment of legislation strengthening and at times easing various U.S. economic sanctions. Since the early 1960s, the centerpiece of U.S. policy has consisted of economic sanctions aimed at isolating the Cuban government. [...] President Trump unveiled a new policy toward Cuba in June 2017 that partially rolls back some of the Obama Administration's efforts to normalize relations. The most significant regulatory changes (effective November 9, 2017) include restrictions on transactions with companies controlled by the Cuban military and the elimination of individual people-to-people travel."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-11-22
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U.S. Response to Injuries of U.S. Embassy Personnel in Havana, Cuba
"On September 29, the U.S. Department of State ordered the departure of nonemergency personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, as well as their families, in order to minimize the risk of their exposure to harm because of a series of unexplained injuries suffered by embassy personnel since November 2016. According to the State Department, 22 persons suffered from 'attacks of unknown nature,' most recently in late August 2017, at U.S. diplomatic residences and hotels where temporary duty staff were staying, with symptoms including 'ear complaints, hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues, and difficulty sleeping.' Since the incidents were first made public by the State Department in August 2017, numerous press reports have referred to the attacks as being caused by some type of sonic device. State Department officials maintain, however, that the U.S. investigation has not reached a definitive conclusion regarding the cause, source, or any kind of technologies that might have been used."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Gill, Cory R.; Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-10-06
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Hurricanes Irma and Maria: Impact on Caribbean Countries and Foreign Territories
"In addition to causing massive destruction to the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, Hurricanes Irma and Maria severely affected several Caribbean countries and foreign territories. Between September 5 and 9, 2017, Hurricane Irma caused widespread damage to Barbuda, part of the independent country of Antigua and Barbuda; the island of St. Martin/St. Maarten, split between French and Dutch rule (St. Martin is a French overseas collectivity while St. Maarten is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands); several southeastern and northwestern islands of the Bahamas; and the northern coast of Cuba. Other islands severely affected were the French overseas collectivity of St. Barthélemy and the British overseas territories of Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. On September 18 and 19, respectively, Hurricane Maria severely damaged the country of Dominica and the French department of Guadeloupe with direct hits, while St. Kitts and Nevis experienced lesser damage as the hurricane passed south of the country. On September 21, the hurricane passed close to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which experienced limited impact, largely caused by flooding, and the Turks and Caicos Islands were battered once again as the storm passed nearby on September 22. Reconstruction costs are not yet known, but will likely be high for several of these islands, many of which depend on tourism."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-09-28
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Cuba Sanctions: Legislative Restrictions Limiting the Normalization of Relations [August 17, 2017]
"Since the early 1960s, U.S. policy toward Cuba has consisted largely of isolating the island nation through comprehensive economic sanctions, including an embargo on trade and financial transactions. President John F. Kennedy proclaimed an embargo on trade between the United States and Cuba in February 1962, citing Section 620(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), which authorizes the President 'to establish and maintain a total embargo upon all trade between the United States and Cuba.' At the same time, the Department of the Treasury issued the Cuban Import Regulations to deny the importation into the United States of all goods imported from or through Cuba. The authority for the embargo was later expanded in March 1962 to include the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rennack, Dianne E.; Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-08-17
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Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 115th Congress [July 26, 2017]
"Political and economic developments in Cuba and U.S. policy toward the island nation, located just 90 miles from the United States, have been significant congressional concerns for many years. Especially since the end of the Cold War, Congress has played an active role in shaping U.S. policy toward Cuba, first with the enactment of the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 (CDA; P.L. 102-484, Title XVII) and then with the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-114). Both measures strengthened U.S. economic sanctions on Cuba that had first been imposed in the early 1960s but also provided road maps for a normalization of relations, dependent upon significant political and economic changes in Cuba. Congress partially modified its sanctions-based policy toward Cuba when it enacted the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (TSRA; P.L. 106-387, Title IX) allowing for U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-07-26
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Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 115th Congress [June 29, 2017]
"On June 16, 2017, President Trump unveiled his Administration's policy approach toward Cuba, which partially rolls back some of the Obama Administration's efforts to normalize relations but leaves most of the Obama-era policy changes in place, including the reestablishment of diplomatic relations and a variety of eased sanctions to increase travel and commerce. The most significant forthcoming Trump Administration changes include [1] restrictions on financial transactions with companies controlled by the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services or personnel and [2] the elimination of individual people-to-people travel."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-06-29
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Cuba: President Trump Partially Rolls Back Obama Engagement Policy [June 21, 2017]
"The most significant policy changes include [1] restrictions on financial transactions with companies controlled by the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services or personnel and [2] the elimination of individual people-to-people travel. President Trump's memorandum directed the heads of departments (Treasury and Commerce, in coordination with the State Department) to initiate a process within 30 days to adjust current regulations. The policy changes will not take place until the amended regulations are issued; the Treasury Department, for example, indicated that it expects to issue its regulatory amendments in the coming months."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-06-21
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Argentina: Background and U.S. Relations [June 16, 2017]
"Argentina, a South American country with a population of almost 44 million, has had a vibrant democratic tradition since its military relinquished power in 1983. Current President Mauricio Macri-the leader of the center-right Republican Proposal and the candidate of the Let's Change coalition representing center-right and center-left parties-won the 2015 presidential race. He succeeded two-term President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, from the center-left faction of the Peronist party known as the Front for Victory, who in turn had succeeded her husband, Néstor Kirchner, in 2007. Macri's election ended the Kirchners' 12-year rule, which helped Argentina emerge from a severe economic crisis in 2001-2002 but also was characterized by protectionist and unorthodox economic policies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Nelson, Rebecca M.
2017-06-16
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Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 115th Congress [May 26, 2017]
From the Summary: "Cuba remains a one-party authoritarian state with a poor record on human rights. Current President Raúl Castro succeeded his long-ruling brother Fidel Castro in 2006, and the succession was characterized by a remarkable degree of stability. Raúl began his second and final five-year term as president in 2013, which is scheduled to end in February 2018, when he would be 86 years of age. Most observers see First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel as the "heir apparent" as president, although Raúl likely will continue in his position as first secretary of Cuba's Communist Party (PCC). Under Raúl, Cuba has implemented gradual market-oriented economic policy changes over the past decade, but critics maintain that the government has not taken enough action to foster sustainable economic growth. Few observers expect the government to ease its tight control over the political system, especially as the country approaches its political succession in 2018. Short-term detentions and harassment against democracy and human rights activists have increased over the past several years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-05-26
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Argentina: Background and U.S. Relations [April 25, 2017]
"Argentina, a South American country with a population of almost 44 million, has had a vibrant democratic tradition since its military relinquished power in 1983. Current President Mauricio Macri-the leader of the center-right Republican Proposal and the candidate of the Let's Change coalition representing center-right and center-left parties-won the 2015 presidential race. He succeeded two-term President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, from the center-left faction of the Peronist party known as the Front for Victory, who in turn had succeeded her husband, Néstor Kirchner, in 2007. Macri's election ended the Kirchners' 12-year rule, which helped Argentina emerge from a severe economic crisis in 2001-2002 but also was characterized by protectionist and unorthodox economic policies.
President Macri has moved swiftly since his December 2015 inauguration to usher in changes to the government's economic, foreign, and other policies. [...] This report provides background on the political and economic situation in Argentina and U.S.-Argentine relations. An Appendix provides links to selected U.S. government reports on Argentina."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Nelson, Rebecca M.
2017-04-25
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Cuba: U.S. Policy in the 115th Congress [April 21, 2017]
"Congress has played an active role in shaping policy toward Cuba, including the enactment of legislation strengthening and at times easing various U.S. economic sanctions. Since the early 1960s, when the United States first imposed a trade embargo on Cuba, the centerpiece of U.S. policy has consisted of economic sanctions aimed at isolating the Cuban government. In December 2014, however, the Obama Administration initiated a major Cuba policy shift, moving away from sanctions toward a policy of engagement and a normalization of relations. The policy change included the restoration of diplomatic relations (July 2015), the rescission of Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of international terrorism (May 2015), and an increase in travel, commerce, and the flow of information to Cuba. To implement this third step, the Treasury and Commerce Departments eased the embargo regulations five times (most recently in October 2016) in such areas as travel, remittances, trade, telecommunications, and financial services. The overall embargo, however, remains in place, and can be lifted only with congressional action or if the President determines and certifies to Congress that certain conditions in Cuba are met, including that a democratically elected government is in place. The outlook for U.S. policy toward Cuba under the Trump Administration is uncertain. According to U.S. officials, the Administration is conducting a full review of U.S. policy toward Cuba, with human rights at the forefront of those discussions. Statements by President Trump before his inauguration suggest that he could reverse some of the policy changes taken by the Obama Administration to normalize relations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-04-21
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Challenges for U.S. Policymakers in Latin America and the Caribbean [February 16, 2017]
"The Latin American and Caribbean region has made significant political and economic advances over the past three decades, but challenges remain. Regular free and fair elections are the norm in most countries; […] [t]he quality of democracy, however, has eroded in several countries affected by organized crime, corruption, and the executive's abuse of power. The rise of leftist populism, most prominently in Venezuela, has led to the subversion of democratic institutions and erosion of human rights. In Freedom House's 2017 annual report, Venezuela joined Cuba as the only countries in the Americas categorized as "not free." Ten others were classified as 'partly freely [sic].' The ebbing of populism's electoral appeal […] is a positive development for democracy […]. The region has faced an economic slowdown in recent years, driven by the global decline in commodity prices and China's economic slowdown. […] In its policy approach toward the region, the Obama Administration emphasized partnership, shared responsibility, and engagement. Its policy priorities included efforts to promote economic and social opportunity, combat transnational crime and advance citizen security, and strengthen democratic institutions. These U.S. goals in the region have been long-standing, so it is possible the Trump Administration will continue to support them. Some observers, however, are fearful that the Administration's strong emphasis on border security, trade protection, and deportations could change the tenor of relations with the region, jeopardize cooperation, and fuel anti-American sentiment."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-02-16
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Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [February 7, 2017]
"Restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba have constituted a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba's communist government since the early 1960s. Such restrictions are part of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR), the overall embargo regulations administered by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Various Administrations, including the current one, have eased and tightened the restrictions over the years as U.S. policy toward Cuba has changed. The Obama Administration lifted all restrictions on family travel and remittances in 2009. In 2011, the Administration eased restrictions on other types of travel, including travel related to religious, educational, and people-to-people exchanges, and allowed any U.S. person to send remittances to individuals in Cuba."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-02-07
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Cuba Sanctions: Legislative Restrictions Limiting the Normalization of Relations [February 3, 2017]
"U.S. economic sanctions on Cuba date back to the early 1960s when the Cuban government under Fidel Castro began to build a repressive communist dictatorship and aligned with the Soviet Union. The trade embargo was first imposed in 1962 under the authority of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Trading with the Enemy Act and soon broadened to include a prohibition on most financial transactions with Cuba. In 1963, the Treasury Department issued the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR); they remain the main body of embargo regulations today, and have been amended many times over the years to reflect changes in policy. In addition, since Cuba is an embargoed country, all exports to Cuba must be authorized by the Department of Commerce as implemented through the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). [...] This report provides information on legislative provisions restricting relations with Cuba. It lists the various provisions of law comprising economic sanctions on Cuba, including key laws that are the statutory basis of the embargo, and provides information on the authority to lift or waive the restrictions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rennack, Dianne E.; Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-02-03
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Venezuela: Issues for Congress, 2013-2016 [January 23, 2017]
"Although historically the United States had close relations with Venezuela, a major oil supplier, friction in bilateral relations increased under the leftist, populist government of President Hugo Chávez, who died in 2013 after battling cancer. After Chávez's death, Venezuela held presidential elections in which acting President Nicolás Maduro narrowly defeated Henrique Capriles of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), with the opposition alleging significant irregularities. In 2014, the Maduro government violently suppressed protests and imprisoned a major opposition figure, Leopoldo López, along with others. In December 2015, the MUD initially won a two-thirds supermajority in National Assembly elections, a major defeat for the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). The Maduro government subsequently thwarted the legislature's power by preventing three MUD representatives from taking office (denying the opposition a supermajority) and using the Supreme Court to block bills approved by the legislature. For much of 2016, opposition efforts were focused on recalling President Maduro through a national referendum, but the government slowed down the referendum process and suspended it indefinitely in October. After an appeal by Pope Francis, the government and most of the opposition [...] agreed to talks mediated by the Vatican along with the former presidents of the Dominican Republic, Spain, and Panama and the head of the Union of South American Nations. The two sides issued a declaration in November expressing firm commitment to a peaceful, respectful, and constructive coexistence. [...] The next round of talks was scheduled for December but was suspended until January 2017, and many observers are skeptical that the dialogue will resume."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-01-23
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Cuba: Issues and Actions in the 114th Congress [January 18, 2017]
"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. In 2013, Raúl began his second and final five-year term, which is scheduled to end in February 2018 [...] Castro has implemented a number of market-oriented economic policy changes over the past several years. An April 2016 Cuban Communist Party congress endorsed the current gradual pace of Cuban economic reform. Few observers expect the government to ease its tight control over the political system. While the government has released most long-term political prisoners, short-term detentions and harassment have increased significantly over the past several years. [...] Congress has played an active role in shaping policy toward Cuba, including the enactment of legislation strengthening and at times easing various U.S. economic sanctions. U.S. policy over the years has consisted largely of isolating Cuba through economic sanctions, while a second policy component has consisted of support measures for the Cuban people, including U.S. government-sponsored broadcasting and support for human rights and democracy projects. In December 2014, President Obama announced a major shift in U.S. policy toward Cuba, moving away from a sanctions-based policy toward one of engagement and a normalization of relations. [...] The policy change included the restoration of diplomatic relations; the rescission of Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of international terrorism; and an increase in travel, commerce, and the flow of information to Cuba."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-01-18
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Key Issues and Actions in the 114th Congress [January 4, 2017]
"U.S. policy toward [the Latin American and Caribbean region] under the Obama Administration focused on four priorities: promoting economic and social opportunity; ensuring citizen security; strengthening effective democratic institutions; and securing a clean energy future. [...] U.S. policy toward the region is conducted in the context of an increasingly independent Latin America, which has diversified its economic and diplomatic ties with countries outside the region. [...] Congress traditionally has played an active role in policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean in terms of both legislation and oversight. [...] As the 114th Congress neared its end in December 2016, Congress completed action on several measures with provisions related to the region. [...] This report, which will not be updated, provides an overview of U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean during the 114th Congress in 2015 and 2016. It begins with an overview of the political and economic environment affecting U.S. relations and then examines the Obama Administration's policy toward the region. The report then examines congressional interests in the region and legislative action, looking at selected regional and country issues. An Appendix provides links to hearings on the region in the 114th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2017-01-04
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Latin America: Terrorism Issues [December 15, 2016]
"Compared to other parts of the world, the potential threat emanating from terrorism is low in most countries in Latin America. Most terrorist acts occur in the Andean region of South America, committed by two Colombian guerrilla groups--the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN)--and one Peruvian guerrilla group, the Shining Path (SL). All three of these groups have been designated by the U.S. State Department as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). The FARC, however, has been engaged in peace negotiations with the Colombian government since 2012, culminating in a peace accord signed in September 2016. Although the accord was narrowly rejected by a national plebiscite in early October, both sides hammered out a new peace accord in November 2016, which was ratified by Colombia's Congress at the end of that month. Negotiations between the Colombian government and the smaller ELN had several false starts in 2016, although to date formal talks with the government have not started. The Shining Path has been significantly diminished because of Peruvian military operations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.
2016-12-15
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Fidel Castro's Death: Implications for Cuba and U.S. Policy [December 2, 2016]
"The death of Cuba's former long-time ruler Fidel Castro on November 25, 2016, raises questions regarding Cuba's economic and political situation and the future of U.S. policy toward Cuba. The revolutionary leader overthrew an unpopular dictatorship in 1959, but ended up imposing a communist regime that led to some social progress yet also resulted in severe human rights abuses and a feeble economy. For a small island nation, Cuba played an oversized role in international affairs under Castro's rule through its support for revolutionary movements abroad and its strong opposition to the United States. While Fidel Castro's historical legacy is significant--regardless of whether one views him positively or negatively--he has not held formal power since he stepped down in 2006 for health reasons and was succeeded by his brother Raúl Castro, Cuba's long-time defense minister. Raúl has concentrated on making changes to Cuba's economic model by introducing some market-oriented reforms, but he has kept tight control over the political system."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2016-12-02
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Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations [November 21, 2016]
"Although historically the United States had close relations with Venezuela, a major oil supplier, friction in bilateral relations increased under the leftist, populist government of President Hugo Chávez (1999-2013), who died in 2013 after battling cancer. After Chávez's death, Venezuela held presidential elections in which acting President Nicolás Maduro narrowly defeated Henrique Capriles of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), with the opposition alleging significant irregularities. In 2014, the Maduro government violently suppressed protests and imprisoned a major opposition figure, Leopoldo López, along with others. [...] U.S. policymakers and Members of Congress have had concerns for more than a decade about the deterioration of human rights and democratic conditions in Venezuela and the government's lack of cooperation on antidrug and counterterrorism efforts. After a 2014 government-opposition dialogue failed, the Administration imposed visa restrictions and asset-blocking sanctions on Venezuelan officials involved in human rights abuses.
The Obama Administration has continued to speak out about the democratic setback and poor human rights situation, called repeatedly for the release of political prisoners, expressed deep concern about the humanitarian situation, and strongly supported dialogue. The Administration supported the efforts Organization of American States Secretary General Luis Almagro to focus attention on Venezuela's democratic setback."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2016-11-21
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Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [November 14, 2016]
"Restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba have constituted a key and often contentious component in U.S. efforts to isolate Cuba's communist government since the early 1960s. Such restrictions are part of the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR), the overall embargo regulations administered by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Various Administrations, including the current one, have eased and tightened the restrictions over the years as U.S. policy toward Cuba has changed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2016-11-14
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Cuba: Issues for the 114th Congress [November 8, 2016]
From the Summary: "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. In 2013, Raúl began his second and final five-year term, which is scheduled to end in February 2018, when he would be 86 years of age. Castro has implemented a number of market-oriented economic policy changes over the past several years. An April 2016 Cuban Communist Party congress endorsed the current gradual pace of Cuban economic reform. Few observers expect the government to ease its tight control over the political system. While the government has released most long-term political prisoners, short-term detentions and harassment have increased significantly over the past several years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2016-11-08
