Latin America and the Caribbean: Legislative Issues in 2001-2002

Publication Date: December 2002

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

This report provides an overview of the major legislative issues Congress dealt with in 2001 and 2002 relating to Latin America and the Caribbean. Organized by the regions and subregions of the Western Hemisphere, the report provides reference and linkages to other reports covering the issues in more detail. The importance of the region to the United States has been emphasized by President Bush's trips to Mexico in February 2001 and March 2002 and his trips to Peru and El Salvador in March 2002, and by a number of congressional trips to the region.

At the hemispheric level, the major legislative issues included action to implement the Declaration and Action Plan of hemispheric leaders at Summit of the Americas III in Quebec City, Canada, in April 2001. This included action to conclude negotiation of a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) by January 2005, to promote democracy throughout the hemisphere, to strengthen multilateral mechanisms for counter-narcotics activity, and to further sustainable development and environmental protection in the region. The hemispheric response to the September 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States is also included.

With neighbor Mexico in North America, the major bilateral issues for the United States have been related to trade, drug trafficking, and migration, as President George W. Bush sought to advance friendly relations with President Vicente Fox, the first President of Mexico from an opposition party in over 70 years.

With regard to Central America, the major issues were disaster relief and reconstruction, the proposed Central America-U.S. free trade agreement, earthquakes in El Salvador, implementation of the peace accords in Guatemala, and the new government in Nicaragua. With regard to the Caribbean, President Bush announced a "Third Border Initiative" to strengthen the development of the smaller Caribbean countries, and the President and Congress have been seeking ways to advance democracy in Cuba and Haiti.

In the Andean region, the major issues were President Bush's requests for new assistance and additional authorities under the Andean Regional Initiative for Colombia and regional neighbors, the extension of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), dealing with the new Toledo government in Peru, and seeking ways to engage the "maverick" government in Venezuela following the ouster and return of President Chavez.

In the region encompassing Brazil and the Southern Cone countries of South America, the major issues were managing trade and economic issues with Brazil as the country selected a new president, dealing with a serious economic crisis in Argentina, and completing negotiations for a U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement with Chile.