Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy and Issues in the 116th Congress Mark P. Sullivan, Coordinator Specialist in Latin American Affairs June S. Beittel Analyst in Latin American Affairs Nese F. DeBruyne Senior Research Librarian Peter J. Meyer Specialist in Latin American Affairs Clare Ribando Seelke Specialist in Latin American Affairs Maureen Taft-Morales Specialist in Latin American Affairs M. Angeles Villarreal Specialist in International Trade and Finance March 6, 2020 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov R46258 SUMMARY R46258 Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy March 6, 2020 and Issues in the 116th Congress Mark P. Sullivan, The United States maintains strong linkages with neighboring Latin America and the Caribbean Coordinator based on geographic proximity and diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and Specialist in Latin security concerns. The United States is a major trading partner and source of foreign investment American Affairs for many countries in the region, with free-trade agreements enhancing economic linkages with
[email protected] 11 countries. The region is a large source of U.S. immigration, both legal and illegal; proximity June S. Beittel and economic and security conditions are major factors driving migration. Curbing the flow of Analyst in Latin American illicit drugs has been a key component of U.S. relations with the region for more than four Affairs decades and currently involves close security cooperation with Mexico, Central America, and the
[email protected] Caribbean. U.S. support for democracy and human rights in the region has been long-standing, with particular current focus on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.