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In the last decade, Colombia - a key U.S. ally in South America - has made significant progress in reasserting government control over much of its territory, combating drug trafficking and terrorist activities by illegally armed groups, and reducing poverty. Since the development of Plan Colombia in 1999, the Colombian government, with substantial U.S. support, has stepped up its counternarcotics and security efforts. Congress has provided more than $6 billion to support Plan Colombia from FY2000 through FY2008. Since 2002, Congress has granted the State Department expanded authority to use counternarcotics funds for a unified campaign to fight both drug trafficking and terrorist organizations in Colombia. Proponents of the current U.S. policy towards Colombia point to the inroads that have been made in improving security conditions in Colombia and in weakening the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas. Critics argue that, despite these security improvements, U.S. policy has not rigorously promoted human rights, provided for sustainable economic alternatives for drug crop farmers, or reduced the amount of drugs available in the United States. President Alvaro Uribe, re-elected in May 2006, has made headway in addressing Colombia's 40-year plus conflict with the country's leftist guerrillas, as well as the rightist paramilitary groups that have been active since the 1980s. Uribe enjoys strong popular support, which has not been significantly affected by an ongoing scandal concerning past government ties to illegal paramilitary groups. Uribe's popularity soared after Colombia's March 2008 raid of a FARC camp in Ecuador resulted in the killing of a top guerrilla commander and the seizure of his computer files. It spiked again following the Colombian military's successful July 2, 2008 rescue of 15 hostages long held by the FARC. Those hostages included three U.S. defense contractors and a former Colombian presidential candidate. Many Colombians. . . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the report "Colombia: Issues for Congress" released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) as of September 12, 2008. Topics discussed include free-trade agreement signed between Colombia and the U.S., internal conflicts of Colombia, and tensions between the Colombian President Alvaro Uribe's justice and peace law. Also mentions about the violations of human rights by Colombian security Forces.

The article reports on the issues in 110th Congress in Caribbean and Latin America in 2008. Topics discussed include the conditions of Caribbean and Latin America, the U.S. policies in the two regions, and the U.S. foreign aid in the regions. Also mentioned are Andean Counterdrug Program (ACP), the U.S. trade policy, and the issues on migration.

The article discusses the Mérida Initiative, a proposal for $1.4 billion assistance by the US. to Mexico and Central America. It says that the aim of the Initiative is to fight drug trafficking, organized crime, and gangs. It discusses the categories of aid in the Initiative including counterterrorism, counternarcotics and border security, law enforcement and public security, and rule of law and institution building.

The article discusses the report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the U.S. Congress on the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Topics include the Mérida Initiative designed to prevent gangs, drug trafficking, and organized crime, Felipe Calderón of the National Action Party (PAN), and the challenges on the foreign policy. Also mentioned U.S. foreign assistance to Mexico and the immigration problem.

Increasing violence perpetrated by drug cartels, youth gangs, and other criminal groups is threatening citizen security and democracy in Mexico and Central America. Mexican and Central American government efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime have been hindered by inadequate resources, corruption, and weak judicial systems. On October 22, 2007, the United States and Mexico issued a joint statement announcing the M鲩da Initiative, a multi-year plan for U.S. assistance to Mexico and Central America aimed at helping those governments combat drug trafficking and other criminal organizations. The Administration requested $500 million for Mexico and $50 million for Central America in the FY2008 supplemental appropriations request. To date, there is no legislative vehicle for the funding request. The Administration requested another $450 million for Mexico and $100 million for Central America in the FY2009 budget request. This report discusses the background and funding of the M鲩da Initiative and will be updated as events warrant. For more information, see CRS Report RL32724, Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress, and CRS Report RL34112, Gangs in Central America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the anticrime and counterdrug assistance proposed by the U.S. for Mexico and Central America. It mentions that the inadequate resources, weak judicial systems, and corruption are blocking the efforts of the Mexican and Central American government for the prevention of drug trafficking and organized crime. Moreover, the joint statement issued by the U.S. and Mexico for the announcement of the plan for the Mérida Initiative is also mentioned.

The article presents an overview of Mexican drug cartels and their operations. It explores the association of Mexican drug cartels with gangs such as the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Latin Kings. Topics discussed include drug trafficking, Mexico's President Felipe Calderón, and police corruption.

Trends in U.S. assistance to the Latin America and Caribbean region generally reflect the trends and rationales for U.S. foreign aid programs globally. Aid to the region increased during the 1960s with the Alliance for Progress, and during the 1980s with aid to Central America. Since 2000, aid levels have increased, especially in the Andean region, as the focus has shifted from Cold War issues to counternarcotics and security assistance. Current aid levels to Latin America and the Caribbean comprise about 5.8% of the worldwide FY2007 aid budget, including both bilateral and multilateral assistance. Amounts requested for the regular FY2008 budget would increase this ratio to 6.1%, and to 7.2% if Congress approves supplemental funds for a new counternarcotics initiative in Mexico and Central America. Three countries -- Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador -- have signed compacts for Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) funds worth a combined $851 million. Aid levels to the region could increase further as more countries become eligible for MCA. Both Haiti and Guyana are focus countries for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). For the FY2008 regular budget, the Administration has requested $1.57 billion in assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean, the largest portion of which would be allocated to the Andean region, or $823.8 million. Mexico and Central America are slated to receive $220.4 million in regular funds, plus $550 million in supplemental counternarcotics funds. The Caribbean would receive $365.5 million. Brazil and the Southern Cone of South America are to receive an estimated $18.5 million. Aid programs are designed to achieve a variety of goals, from poverty reduction to economic growth. Child Survival and Health (CSH) funds focus on combating infectious diseases and promoting child and maternal health. Development Assistance (DA) promotes sustainable economic growth in key areas such as trade, agriculture, education, the environment, and democracy. The Economic Support Fund (ESF) assists countries of strategic importance to the United States, and funds programs relating to justice sector reforms, local governance, anti-corruption, and respect for human rights. Counternarcotics programs seek to assist countries to reduce drug production, interdict trafficking, and promote alternative crop development. Military assistance provides grants to nations for the purchase of U.S. defense equipment, services, and training. The annual State Department, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bills are the vehicles by which Congress provides funding for foreign assistance programs. Congress will likely continue to take interest in a number of related issues, including the level of aid, the effectiveness of counternarcotics assistance, and how best to address the spread of HIV/AIDS, and address poverty in the region. This report will be updated as country level funding figures for FY2008 become available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the foreign assistance given by the U.S. to Latin America and the Caribbean for the fiscal year (FY) 2006-2007. Topics discussed include the historical trends of U.S. foreign assistance to Latin America, the assistance given by the government of the U.S. to Andean region, the assistance received by Brazil, Argentina and Chile, which are all considered as middle income countries.

Mexico, a major drug producing and transit country, is the main foreign supplier of marijuana and a major supplier of methamphetamine to the United States. Although Mexico accounts for only a small share of worldwide heroin production, it supplies a large share of heroin consumed in the United States. An estimated 90% of cocaine entering the United States transits Mexico. Violence in the border region has affected U.S. citizens. More than 60 Americans have been kidnaped in Nuevo Laredo, and in July 2007, Mexican drug cartels reportedly threatened to kill a U.S. journalist covering drug violence in the border region. The United States and Mexico are reportedly negotiating a new counternarcotics initiative. Although Mexican drug cartels, or drug trafficking organizations, have existed for quite some time, they have become more powerful since the demise of Colombia's Cali and Medellín cartels in the 1990s. Mexican drug cartels now dominate the wholesale illicit drug market in the United States. Arrests of key cartel leaders, particularly in the Tijuana and Gulf cartels, have led to increasing drug violence as cartels fight for control of the trafficking routes into the United States. The Gulf and Sinaloa cartels reportedly use personal "enforcer gangs" to perpetuate violence and intimidate Mexican citizens and public officials. Mexican President Felipe Calderón has called drug violence a threat to the Mexican state. This report provides an overview of: Mexican cartels and their operations, including the nature of cartel ties to gangs such as the Mara Salvatrucha; Mexican cartel drug production in the United States; and the presence of Mexican cartel cells in the United States. Mexican cartels allegedly have used their vast financial resources to corrupt Mexican public officials who either turn a blind eye to cartel activities or work directly for them. Since 2005, the Mexican government has made numerous efforts to purge corrupt police. In December 2006, President Felipe Calderón launched operations against the cartels in 9 of Mexico's 32 states. He has pledged to use extradition as a tool against drug traffickers, and sent 64 criminals to the United States as of August 2007, including the alleged head of the Gulf Cartel. This report also examines potential policy approaches to the problem of drug trafficking and violence. Current U.S. and Mexican policy emphasizes interdiction and eradication. Supporters of this policy maintain that these efforts have reduced the supply of drugs in the United States. Critics maintain that Administration officials have refused to release data showing that cocaine prices are falling, suggesting that the drug supply is growing, not shrinking. These critics suggest that more emphasis should be placed on demand reduction in the United States, including drug prevention education and treatment. The Mexican government urges the United States to increase its efforts to reduce U.S. demand for drugs, stating that it cannot succeed in its efforts against the cartels so long as cartels stand to earn billions of dollars annually from the U.S. illicit drug market. Critics of current policy, including the Mexican government, are also calling for increased efforts to combat arms trafficking from the United States to Mexico. This report may be updated. For further information on Mexico, see CRS Report RL32724, Mexico-U.S. Relations: Issues for Congress, by Colleen W. Cook. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guatemala held presidential, congressional, and mayoral elections on September 9, 2007. The dominant issue in the campaign was security, and the 2007 election campaigns were the most violent since the return to democracy in 1985, with 51 candidates, activists, and family members killed. No candidate for president received a majority of the votes, triggering a November 4 run-off between the two leading candidates, ?varo Colom, a businessman from the National Union for Hope (UNE), and Otto Pé²¥z Molina, a former general of the Patriot Party. Colom won 18 out of 22 departments, garnering most of his support from rural regions, whereas the majority of Pé²¥z Molina's support came from Guatemala City and the surrounding area. Since no party won a majority in Congress, the next president will have to build coalitions to achieve his legislative agenda. U.S. interests in Guatemala include consolidating democracy, securing human rights, establishing security and promoting trade, though U.S. immigration policy has been a point of tension in bilateral relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, the Latin America and Caribbean region has made enormous strides in terms of political and economic development. Twelve countries held successful elections for head of government in 2006, including a close election in Mexico. To date in 2007, the Bahamas held elections in May; elections are scheduled for Jamaica and Guatemala in September, Argentina in October, and are due to be called in Trinidad and Tobago by October. Although the region overall experienced an economic setback in 2002-2003, it has rebounded since 2004, most recently experiencing a growth rate over 5% in 2006. Despite this progress, several nations face considerable challenges that affect U.S. interests and policy in the region. These include persistent poverty, violent guerrilla conflicts, autocraticleaders, drug trafficking, increasing crime, and the rise of a new form of populism in several countries. In the 110th Congress, legislative and oversight attention to Latin America and the Caribbean has focused on continued counternarcotics efforts, especially in the Andean region; immigration reform (which stalled in June 2007) and increased border security, which have been key issues in relations with Mexico; efforts to deal with threats to democracy and the rise of populism in such nations as Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador; debate over the best means to foster political change in Communist Cuba; trade issues, including the extension of Andean trade preferences and potential consideration of implementing legislation for free trade agreements (FTAs); and continued efforts to support stability and poverty alleviation in Haiti... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the Latin America and the Caribbean and the issues related to the 100th Congress. Topics discussed include several regional issues, including the U.S. Foreign Assistance, Andean Counterdrug Initiative, and U.S. Trade Policy, American free trade area, and trafficking in persons in Latin America and Caribbean. Also mentioned are poverty reduction, economic growth, and free trade agreement (FTA).

Over the past two decades, the Latin America and Caribbean region has made enormous strides in terms of political and economic development. Twelve countries held successful elections for head of government in 2006, including a close election in Mexico, and in 2007, five other countries have elections scheduled. Although the region overall experienced an economic setback in 2002-2003, it has rebounded since 2004, and most recently experienced an average growth rate over 5% in 2006. Despite this progress, several nations face considerable challenges that threaten political stability or pose challenges for U.S. interests and policy in the region. These include persistent poverty, violent guerrilla conflicts, autocratic leaders, drug trafficking, increasing crime, and the rise of a new form of populism in several countries. In the 110th Congress, legislative and oversight attention to Latin America and the Caribbean will likely focus on continued counternarcotics efforts, especially in the Andean region; potential immigration reform and increased border security, which have been key issues in relations with Mexico; efforts to deal with potential threats to democracy and the rise of populism in such nations as Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador; debate over the best means to foster political change in Communist Cuba; and trade issues, including the potential consideration of implementing legislation for free trade agreements (FTAs). Curbing the flow of illicit drugs from Mexico and South America into the United States has been a key component of U.S. relations with Latin America for almost two decades. Since 2000, the centerpiece of this policy has been the Andean Counterdrug Initiative (ACI) aimed at supporting Colombia and its neighbors in eradicating the production of illicit drugs. From FY2000-FY2006, the United States provided around $5 billion for the ACI. In the trade arena, the United States signed FTAs with Colombia and Peru in 2006, and also completed negotiations for an agreement with Panama late in the year. Implementing legislation for all three countries could be introduced early in the 110th Congress. Congressional interest also will be drawn to the scheduled expiration of fast track Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) in July 2007. The 110th Congress will also likely maintain an oversight interest in potential terrorist threats in Latin America, as well as efforts to counter the trafficking of persons in the region, the rise of violent gangs in Central America, and continued efforts against HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean, where infection rates in some countries are among the highest outside sub-Saharan Africa. This report, an overview of U.S. relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, focuses on the role of Congress and congressional concerns, and will be updated periodically. For further information, see the CRS products listed after each topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of political and economic development in the Latin American and Caribbean region. It explores considerable challenges faced by several nations that threaten political stability, including increasing crime, autocratic leaders, violent guerrilla conflicts and poverty. It highlights legislative attention to Latin America and the Caribbean in the 110th Congress of the U.S. to focus on potential immigration reform and counternarcotics efforts.

The article examines various issues faced by the 109th U.S. Congress related to the Latin America and Caribbean regions. These regional issues include terrorism, free trade agreements, and U.S. foreign assistance. It discusses the economic conditions of the Caribbean and Latin American regions which have made significant achievements with regards to economic and political development. It notes that the problems threatens political stability and may lead to radical populism.