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Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [April 6, 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.
2016-04-06
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President Obama's Historic Visit to Cuba [March 25, 2016]
"President Obama traveled to Cuba from March 20 to 22, 2016--the first visit of a U.S. President since Calvin Coolidge visited in 1928. Before the trip, the White House set forth the goals of the visit, stating that the President would build on progress toward normalizing relations, including advancing commercial and people-to-people ties and expressing support for human rights. The trip is the latest significant action by the President since his December 2014 announcement of the major shift in U.S. policy toward Cuba, moving away from a sanctions-based policy toward one of engagement. Since then, the Administration has rescinded Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of international terrorism (May 2015) and reestablished diplomatic relations (July 2015). The Treasury and Commerce Departments have conducted four rounds of regulatory changes, the most recent on March 16, 2016, to ease the economic embargo that was first imposed in 1962. These changes have significantly eased sanctions on a range of transactions with Cuba, including those relating to travel, remittances, trade, telecommunications, and banking and financial services. […] During his visit, President Obama announced additional initiatives, including support for collaboration between the U.S. and Cuban agricultural sectors; Cuban participation in the Administration's 100,000 Strong in the Americas Initiative to increase student exchanges; and new partnerships in health, science, and the environment. The President attended an event with Cuban entrepreneurs to demonstrate support for the country's nascent private sector."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2016-03-25
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Argentina: Background and U.S. Relations [March 22, 2016]
"Argentina, a South American country with a population of almost 43 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 (PRO) and the candidate of the Let's Change coalition representing center-right and center-left parties--won the 2015 presidential race and was inaugurated on December 10, 2015. He succeeded two-term President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, from the center-left faction of the Peronist party known as the Front for Victory (FPV), who was first elected in 2007 (succeeding her husband, Néstor Kirchner, who served one term). In a close race, Macri defeated the FPV's Daniel Scioli. Macri's election ends the 12-year run of so-called Kirchnerismo that helped Argentina emerge from a severe economic crisis in 2001-2002 but also was characterized by protectionist and unorthodox economic policies and at times difficult relations with the United States. Since Macri's Let's Change coalition does not have a majority in Argentina's Congress, the new president will need to reach out to Peronist party factions to secure approval of the coalition's legislative agenda. Argentina has Latin America's third-largest economy and is endowed with vast natural resources. Agriculture has traditionally been a main economic driver, but the country also has a diversified industrial base and a highly educated population. In 2001-2002, a severe economic crisis precipitated by unsustainable debt led to the government defaulting on nearly $100 billion in foreign debt owed to private creditors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and foreign governments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Nelson, Rebecca M.
2016-03-22
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Cuba: Issues for the 114th Congress [March 15, 2016]
"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. A planned April 16-18, 2016, Cuban Communist Party congress will likely focus on progress in implementing economic goals or guidelines that were adopted at the last party congress in 2011 as well as future economic measures. Few observers, however, 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, reflecting a change of tactics in repressing dissent."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2016-03-15
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Key Issues for the 114th Congress [January 20, 2016]
From the Summary: "Geographic proximity has ensured strong linkages between the United States and the Latin American and Caribbean region, with diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and security concerns. U.S. policy toward the region under the Obama Administration has focused on four priorities: promoting economic and social opportunity; ensuring citizen security; strengthening effective democratic institutions; and securing a clean energy future. There was substantial continuity in U.S. policy toward the region during the first six years of the Obama Administration, which pursued some of the same basic policy approaches as the Bush Administration. Nevertheless, the Obama Administration made several significant policy changes, including an overall emphasis on partnership and shared responsibility. Moreover, in December 2014, President Obama unveiled a new policy approach toward Cuba that broke with the long-standing U.S. sanctions-based policy and moved toward a policy of engagement. U.S. policy toward the region is conducted in the context of a Latin America that has become increasingly independent. The region has diversified its economic and diplomatic ties with countries outside the region. Over the past few years, several Latin American regional organizations have been established that do not include the United States, including the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States designed to boost regional integration and cooperation. Nevertheless, the United States still remains very much engaged in the region bilaterally and multilaterally. The policy shift on Cuba was lauded throughout the region and has helped bolster the image of the United States in Latin America."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2016-01-20
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Cuba: Issues for the 114th Congress [January 11, 2016]
"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 old. Castro has implemented a number of market-oriented economic policy changes over the past several years. A 2011 party congress laid out numerous economic goals that, if implemented, could significantly alter Cuba's state-dominated economic model; another party congress is expected in April 2016 that would likely focus on progress in implementing the 2011 guidelines and future economic measures. Few observers, however, 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, reflecting a change of tactics in repressing dissent."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2016-01-11
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Venezuelan Opposition Wins December 2015 Legislative Elections [December 7, 2015]
"Venezuela's opposition coalition, known as the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD), triumphed in the country's December 6, 2015, legislative elections over the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) of current President Nicolás Maduro. The MUD won at least 99 seats out of the 167-member unicameral National Assembly compared to 46 seats for the PSUV. This gives the opposition at least a simple majority (84 seats). However, 22 seats are still to be determined, so that the opposition is likely to achieve a three-fifths majority (101 seats), which would give it additional powers, including the ability to remove ministers from office and overturn enabling laws that give the president decree powers. Achieving a two-thirds majority (112 seats) would give the opposition even more powers, including the ability to convene a Constituent Assembly to rewrite the constitution. The election included 113 seats chosen by simple majority in specific districts, 51 seats by proportional representation by party list in Venezuela's states and capital district, and 3 indigenous representatives. The election results were a major defeat for Chavismo, the populist leftist movement originally led by former President Hugo Chávez, who succumbed to cancer in 2013."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-12-07
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Cuba: Issues for the 114th Congress [November 25, 2015]
"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 (CDA) of 1992 (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 roadmaps for a normalization of relations dependent upon significant political and economic changes in Cuba. A decade ago, Congress partially modified its sanctions-based policy toward Cuba when it enacted the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 or TSRA (P.L. 106-387, Title IX) allowing for U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba. […] This report is divided into three major sections analyzing Cuba's political and economic environment, U.S. policy, and selected issues in U.S.-Cuban relations. While legislative initiatives are noted throughout the report, a final section of the report provides a listing of bills and resolutions introduced in the 114th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-11-25
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Argentina Votes for Change in 2015 Presidential Election [November 23, 2015]
"On November 22, 2015, Argentines went to the polls in the second round of a presidential race and opted for change by electing Mauricio Macri of the opposition Let's Change coalition representing center-right and center-left parties. Macri defeated Daniel Scioli, the candidate of the leftist Peronist party faction known as the Front of Victory (FPV) of outgoing President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. In a close race, Macri, the mayor of Buenos Aires, took 51.4% of the vote compared to 48.6% for Scioli, the governor of Buenos Aires province. Macri will be inaugurated on December 10, 2015. His election ends the 12-year run of so-called Kirchnerismo that helped Argentina emerge from a severe economic crisis in 2001-2002, but also was characterized by protectionist and unorthodox economic policies and at times difficult relations with the United States. The Macri government is expected to usher in market-based economic reform efforts and more constructive relations with the United States. Macri is the leader of the center-right Republican Proposal (PRO) party and is in his second term as mayor. He has a business background and also served as president of one of Argentina's most popular football clubs, Boca Juniors. One difficulty for Macri's candidacy was that his Buenos Aires-centered political party was thought not to have a nationwide reach. During the August 2015 primary campaign, Macri moved more to the center so as not to alienate those Argentines supportive of the government's social programs. As part of an attempt to expand his base, Macri supported protests by farm groups who oppose the government's imposition of export taxes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-11-23
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Argentina's 2015 Presidential Election [October 20, 2015]
From the Document: "Argentines are scheduled to go to the polls on October 25, 2015, to vote in the first round of a presidential race to succeed President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who hails from the Peronist party's leftist faction known as the Front of Victory (FPV). The race is significant because it will be the first time in 12 years that a Kirchner will not be president. Fernández is serving her second term since 2007, when she succeeded her husband, the late Néstor Kirchner, who served one term beginning in 2003. Fernández is ineligible to run for a third consecutive term, although she would be eligible to run again in 2019. Many observers believe that any of the leading candidates for president would espouse more market-friendly policies than those of the current government, which include currency and price controls and import restrictions. Many also believe that the new government will be more committed to maintaining constructive relations with the United States, including a resolution of the long-standing dispute with holdout creditors who did not participate in previous debt restructurings."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-10-20
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Pope Francis in Cuba [October 2, 2015]
"Prior to his visit to the United States, Pope Francis traveled to Cuba from September 19-22, 2015. This was the third papal visit to Cuba, following those by Pope John Paul II in 1998 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. During his time in Cuba, Pope Francis visited three Cuban cities. In both Havana and Holguín, he celebrated masses in the Plaza of the Revolution, and in Santiago, he celebrated mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, Cuba's patron saint. Pope Francis's visit appeared to be largely pastoral, aimed at reinvigorating the Church in Cuba, but it also highlighted the increasing role of the Church in Cuban society in recent years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-10-02
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Argentina: Background and U.S. Relations [August 11, 2015]
"Argentina, a South American country with a population of almost 42 million, has had a vibrant democratic tradition since its military relinquished power in 1983. Current President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, from a center-left faction of the Peronist party, the Front for Victory (FPV), was first elected in 2007 (succeeding her husband, Néstor Kirchner, who served one term) and is now in the final months of her second term. Argentina's constitution does not allow for more than two successive terms, so President Fernández is ineligible to run in the next presidential election, with a first round scheduled for October 25, 2015. Eleven candidates competed in an August 9, 2015, combined open primary for electoral alliances, and three top candidates emerged: Daniel Scioli, governor of Buenos Aires province under the banner of President Fernández's FPV; Mauricio Macri, mayor of Buenos Aires, heading the Let's Change coalition that includes center-right and center-left opposition parties; and Sergio Massa, a deputy in Argentina's Congress, who heads a centrist dissident Peronist faction known as United for a New Alternative. Argentina has Latin America's third-largest economy and is endowed with vast natural resources. Agriculture has traditionally been a main economic driver, but the country also has a diversified industrial base and a highly educated population. In 2001-2002, a severe economic crisis precipitated by unsustainable debt led to the government defaulting on nearly $100 billion in foreign debt owed to private creditors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and foreign governments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Nelson, Rebecca M.
2015-08-11
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Reestablishment of Diplomatic Relations with Cuba [July 10, 2015]
"On July 1, 2015, President Obama announced that the United States and Cuba agreed to reestablish diplomatic
relations, effective July 20, and to reopen embassies in their respective capitals. The President maintained that
'this is a historic step forward in our efforts to normalize relations with the Cuban government and people.' [...]
The President's action fulfills the last of three major changes in U.S. policy toward Cuba that he unveiled on
December 17, 2014, to move the United States toward normal relations with Cuba. The other two components of
the policy shift were a review of Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of international terrorism (Secretary of State
Kerry rescinded Cuba's designation on May 29, 2015) and an increase in travel, commerce, and the flow of
information to and from Cuba (the Commerce and Treasury Departments issued changes to the U.S. embargo
regulations in January 2015). The President has described the overall policy shift as moving away from sanctions
aimed at isolating Cuba toward a policy of engagement."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-07-10
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Cuba: Issues for the 114th Congress [June 25, 2015]
"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 old. Castro has implemented a number of market-oriented economic policy changes over the past several years. A 2011 party congress laid out numerous economic goals that, if implemented, could significantly alter Cuba's state-dominated economic model. Few observers, however, 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, reflecting a change of tactics in repressing dissent."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-06-25
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Cuba: Issues for the 114th Congress [June 12, 2015]
"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 old. Castro has implemented a number of market-oriented economic policy changes over the past several years. A 2011 party congress laid out numerous economic goals that, if implemented, could significantly alter Cuba's state-dominated economic model. Few observers, however, 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, reflecting a change of tactics in repressing dissent. […] The Obama Administration's shift in Cuba policy has spurred strong interest in Congress. Some Members lauded the initiative as in the best interest of the United States and a better way to support change in Cuba, while others criticized the President for not obtaining more concessions from Cuba to advance human rights."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-06-12
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Cuba Sanctions: Legislative Restrictions Limiting the Normalization of Relations [June 5, 2015]
"In December 2014, President Obama announced major changes in U.S. policy toward Cuba, including the restoration of diplomatic relations (relations were severed in January 1961), a review by the Department of State of Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism (Cuba was designated in 1982), and an increase in travel, trade, and the free flow of information to Cuba. This third step required the Departments of Commerce and the Treasury to amend the embargo regulations, which were announced on January 15, 2015. When the President announced his policy change on Cuba, he acknowledged that he does not have authority to lift the embargo because it is codified in legislation. While the embargo was first imposed in the early 1960s under the authority of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Trading with the Enemy Act, Congress enacted additional laws over the years that strengthened the embargo on Cuba, including the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (which codified the embargo regulations), and the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000. Congress also has enacted numerous other provisions of law that impose sanctions on Cuba, including restrictions on trade, foreign aid, and support from the international financial institutions. 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 these restrictions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rennack, Dianne E.; Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-06-05
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Cuba: Issues for the 114th Congress [May 20, 2015]
"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 old. Castro has implemented a number of market-oriented economic policy changes over the past several years. A 2011 party congress laid out numerous economic goals that, if implemented, could significantly alter Cuba's state-dominated economic model. Few observers, however, 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, reflecting a change of tactics in repressing dissent. […] The Obama Administration's shift in Cuba policy has spurred strong interest in Congress. Some Members lauded the initiative as in the best interest of the United States and a better way to support change in Cuba, while others criticized the President for not obtaining more concessions from Cuba to advance human rights."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-05-20
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Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [April 10, 2015]
"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. Restrictions on travel and remittances to Cuba 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). In 2004, under the George W. Bush Administration, restrictions on family and educational travel and on private remittances to Cuba were tightened significantly. Initially there was a mixed reaction to the Bush Administration's actions, but opposition to the policy grew."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-04-10
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Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations [April 1, 2015]
"While historically the United States has had close relations with Venezuela, a major oil supplier, friction in bilateral relations rose under the leftist populist government of President Hugo Chávez (1999-2013), who died in March 2013 after battling cancer for almost two years. After Chávez's death, Venezuela held presidential elections in April 2013 in which acting President Nicolás Maduro, who had been serving as Chávez's vice president, defeated Henrique Capriles of the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) by a margin of just 1.49%, with the opposition alleging significant irregularities. Venezuela's December 2013 municipal elections demonstrated mixed results for the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and the MUD."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-04-01
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Cuba: Issues for the 114th Congress [February 27, 2015]
"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 old. Castro has implemented a number of market-oriented economic policy changes over the past several years, including an expansion of self-employment. A 2011 party congress laid out numerous economic goals that, if implemented, could significantly alter Cuba's state-dominated economic model. Few observers, however, 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, reflecting a change of tactics in repressing dissent." This document includes charts, tables and graphs to illustrate points and one map.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-02-27
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Cuba Sanctions: Legislative Restrictions Limiting the Normalization of Relations [February 13, 2015]
"In December 2014, President Obama announced major changes in U.S. policy toward Cuba, including the restoration of diplomatic relations (relations were severed in January 1961), a review by the Department of State of Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism (Cuba was designated in 1982), and an increase in travel, trade, and the free flow of information to Cuba. This third step required the Departments of Commerce and the Treasury to amend the embargo regulations, which were announced on January 15, 2015. When the President announced his policy change on Cuba, he acknowledged that he does not have authority to lift the embargo because it is codified in legislation. While the embargo was first imposed in the early 1960s under the authority of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Trading with the Enemy Act, Congress enacted additional laws over the years that strengthened the embargo on Cuba, including the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992, the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act (LIBERTAD) Act of 1996 (which codified the embargo regulations), and the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000. Congress also has enacted numerous other provisions of law that impose sanctions on Cuba, including restrictions on trade, foreign aid, and support from the international financial institutions. 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 these restrictions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Rennack, Dianne E.; Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-02-13
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Key Issues for the 114th Congress [January 28, 2015]
"Geographic proximity has ensured strong linkages between the United States and the Latin American and Caribbean region, with diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and security concerns. U.S. policy toward the region under the Obama Administration has focused on four priorities: promoting economic and social opportunity; ensuring citizen security; strengthening effective democratic institutions; and securing a clean energy future. There was substantial continuity in U.S. policy toward the region during the first six years of the Obama Administration, which pursued some of the same basic policy approaches as the Bush Administration. Nevertheless, the Obama Administration made several significant policy changes, including an overall emphasis on partnership and shared responsibility. Moreover, just after the end of the 113th Congress in December 2014, President Obama unveiled a new policy approach toward Cuba that substantially broke with the long-standing U.S. sanctions-based policy and moved toward a policy of engagement. U.S. policy toward the region is conducted in the context of a Latin America that has become increasingly independent. The region has diversified its economic and diplomatic ties with countries outside the region. Over the past few years, several Latin American regional organizations have been established that do not include the United States, including the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States designed to boost regional integration and cooperation. Nevertheless, the United States still remains very much engaged in the region bilaterally and multilaterally."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2015-01-28
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Cuba: U.S. Policy and Issues for the 113th Congress [December 29, 2014]
"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 February 2013, Castro was reappointed to a second five-year term as President (until 2018, when he would be 86 years old), and selected 52- year old former Education Minister Miguel Díaz-Canel as his First Vice President, making him the official successor in the event that Castro cannot serve out his term. Raúl Castro has implemented a number of gradual economic policy changes over the past several years, including an expansion of self-employment. A party congress held in April 2011 laid out numerous economic goals that, if implemented, could significantly alter Cuba's state-dominated economic model. Few observers, however, expect the government to ease its tight control over the political system. While the government reduced the number of political prisoners in 2010-2011, the number increased in 2012; moreover, short-term detentions and harassment have increased significantly over the past several years"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2014-12-29
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Argentina: Background and U.S. Relations [December 9, 2014]
"Argentina, a South American country with a population of around 41 million, has had a vibrant democratic tradition since its military relinquished power in 1983. Current President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, from a center-left faction of the Peronist party, was first elected in 2007 (succeeding her husband, Néstor Kirchner, who served one term) and is now approaching the final year of her second term. Argentina's constitution does not allow for more than two successive terms, so President Fernández is ineligible to run in the next presidential election, scheduled for October 2015. The presidential race is well underway with several candidates leading opinion polls, including two from the Peronist party. Argentina has Latin America's third-largest economy and is endowed with vast natural resources. Agriculture has traditionally been a main economic driver, but the country also has a diversified industrial base and a highly educated population. In 2001-2002, a severe economic crisis precipitated by unsustainable debt led to the government defaulting on nearly $100 billion in foreign debt owed to private creditors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and foreign governments. Subsequent Argentine administrations resolved more than 90% of the country's debt owed to private creditors through two debt restructurings offered in 2005 and 2010; repaid debt owed to the IMF in 2006; and, in May 2014, reached an agreement to repay foreign governments. Recent court rulings have increased pressure on Argentina to reach an agreement with private creditors who chose not to participate in the 2005 and 2010 debt restructuring offers. This outstanding debt has also prevented Argentina from accessing international credit markets, and could make it more difficult for Argentina to emerge from its current economic downturn."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Nelson, Rebecca M.
2014-12-09
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Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations [October 2, 2014]
"While historically the United States has had close relations with Venezuela, a major oil supplier, friction in bilateral relations rose under the leftist populist government of President Hugo Chávez (1999-2013), who died in March 2013 after battling cancer for almost two years. After Chávez's death, Venezuela held presidential elections in April 2013 in which acting President Nicolás Maduro, who had been serving as Chávez's vice president, defeated opposition candidate Henrique Capriles by a margin of just 1.49%, with the opposition alleging significant irregularities. Venezuela's December 2013 municipal elections demonstrated mixed results for the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD). In 2014, the Maduro government has been facing significant challenges, including deteriorating economic conditions (with high inflation and shortages of consumer goods) and high rates of crime and violence. Most significantly, in February, student-led street protests erupted into violence with protestors attacked by Venezuelan security forces and militant pro-government civilian groups. While the protests had largely dissipated by June, at least 42 people were killed on both sides of the conflict, more than 800 injured, and more than 3,000 arrested (while most have been released, some 77 are still being held). A major opposition figure, Leopoldo López, was arrested and imprisoned along with two opposition mayors. Diplomatic efforts to deal with the crisis at the Organization of American States were frustrated in March. The Union of South America Nations (UNASUR) initiated a government/opposition dialogue in April, but the talks broke down in May because of a lack of progress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2014-10-02
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Latin America and the Caribbean: Key Issues for the 113th Congress [August 29, 2014]
"Geographic proximity has ensured strong linkages between the United States and the Latin American and Caribbean region, with diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and security concerns. U.S. policy toward the region under the Obama Administration has focused on four priorities: promoting economic and social opportunity; ensuring citizen security; strengthening effective democratic institutions; and securing a clean energy future. There has been substantial continuity in U.S. policy toward the region under the Obama Administration, which has pursued some of the same basic policy approaches as the Bush Administration. Nevertheless, the Obama Administration has made several significant policy changes, including an overall emphasis on partnership and shared responsibility. […] This report provides an overview of U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean, including the Obama Administration's priorities; examines changes in the region's economic and political environment that affect U.S. relations with the region; and analyzes U.S. policy toward the region. The report then examines congressional interests in Latin America, looking at selected regional and country issues. Appendices provide U.S.-Latin America trade statistics and links to hearings focused on Latin America."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2014-08-29
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Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances [August 19, 2014]
"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."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2014-08-19
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Latin America: Terrorism Issues [August 15, 2014]
"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 2013 'Country Reports on Terrorism' (issued in April 2014), the State
Department maintained that the majority of terrorist attacks in the Western Hemisphere were
committed by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The State Department
asserted in that Latin American governments made modest improvements in their
counterterrorism capabilities and border security, but that for some countries, corruption, weak government institutions, insufficient interagency cooperation, weak or nonexistent legislation, and a lack of resources impeded progress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Beittel, June S.
2014-08-15
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Cuba: U.S. Policy and Issues for the 113th Congress [July 31, 2014]
"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 February 2013, Castro was reappointed to a second five-year term as President (until 2018, when he would be 86 years old), and selected 52- year old former Education Minister Miguel Díaz-Canel as his First Vice President, making him the official successor in the event that Castro cannot serve out his term. Raúl Castro has implemented a number of gradual economic policy changes over the past several years, including an expansion of self-employment. A party congress held in April 2011 laid out numerous economic goals that, if implemented, could significantly alter Cuba's state-dominated economic model. Few observers, however, expect the government to ease its tight control over the political system. While the government reduced the number of political prisoners in 2010-2011, the number increased in 2012; moreover, short-term detentions and harassment have increased significantly over the past several years."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2014-07-31
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Panama: Background and U.S. Relations [June 26, 2014]
"The Central American nation of Panama has had five successive elected civilian governments since its return to democratic rule in 1989, and a sixth is scheduled to assume power on July 1, 2014 with the inauguration of current Vice President Juan Carlos Varela as President. Hailing from the center-right Panameñista Party, Varela won the May 4, 2014 presidential election with 39% of the vote in a three-candidate race. Significantly, Varela defeated the candidate of the ruling Democratic Change party of current President Ricardo Martinelli, who was constitutionally prohibited from running for reelection. Elected in 2009, Martinelli remained generally popular during his presidency despite criticism at various junctures for his combative style of governing. Nevertheless, his popularity ultimately was not enough to convince voters to support his party's candidate. One controversy that emerged in the campaign was that Martinelli's wife became his party's vice presidential candidate. This led to some critics complaining of an attempt by Martinelli to extend his influence in the next government. Panama's largely services-based economy has been booming in recent years, spurred on by several large infrastructure projects, including, most significantly, the Panama Canal expansion project that began in 2007 and is expected to be completed in early 2016. A challenge for the Varela government will be how to contend with slower economic growth rates as the Canal expansion project winds down. Another challenge for the government is making more headway in combating poverty and inequality in Panama, which still remain relatively high."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.; Lee, Andrew
2014-06-26
