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Latin America: Challenges for U.S.
Policymakers in 2019
Updated February 14, 2019
The 116th Congress faces a host of policy challenges in Latin America in 2019. Democratic practices have
eroded in several countries, especially Venezuela and Nicaragua, and the region has experienced an
economic slowdown and increased poverty in recent years. The flow of illicit drugs, including heroin,
methamphetamine, and fentanyl from Mexico and cocaine from Colombia, continues to pose risks to U.S.
public health and safety, according to the U.S. intelligence community's 2019 Worldwide Threat
Assessment.
Under the Trump Administration, the tenor of relations with Latin America has changed. The State
Department outlined a U.S. policy approach toward the region in 2018 focusing on three pillars for
engagement-economic growth and prosperity, security, and democratic governance. Although the
framework continues long-standing U.S. policy priorities for the region, many observers view it as at
odds with the Administration's actions on foreign aid (e.g., attempts to cut assistance by over one-third),
trade (e.g., withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, renegotiation of the North American Free
Trade Agreement [NAFTA] amid threats to withdraw from it), and immigration (e.g., efforts to end the
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and terminate Temporary Protected Status designations
for Nicaragua, Haiti, El Salvador, and Honduras). The sharp increase in negative views of U.S. leadership
in Latin America could affect some countries' willingness to cooperate with the United States on regional
and global challenges, although some observers believe the election of conservative governments in
several countries could lead to increased cooperation.
Venezuela
The political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, and the resulting mass migration to neighboring
countries, stands out as the region's most significant challenge. In January 2019, the Trump
Administration took action against the authoritarian regime of Nicolas Maduro by recognizing the head of
Venezuela's National Assembly, Juan Guaid6, as interim president. It also imposed sanctions on
Venezuela's state oil company to cut access to the Maduro regime's leading revenue source. The
Administration has begun to position humanitarian assistance in Clicata, Colombia, bordering Venezuela,
although the Maduro regime is preventing the aid from entering Venezuela. Congress appears supportive
of the Administration's actions, although some Members question whether stronger sanctions could
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
IN11045
CRS INSIGHT
Prepared for Members and
Committees of Congress](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/govyhu0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)