1、CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i Latin America: Challenges for U.S. Policymakers in 2019 Mark P. Sullivan Specialist in Latin American Affairs Updated February 14, 2019 The 116th Congress faces a host of policy challenges in Latin America in 2019. Democra
2、tic 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 t
3、o pose risks to U.S. public health and safety, according to the U.S. intelligence communitys 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 focusin
4、g on three pillars for engagementeconomic 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 Administrations actions on foreign aid (e.g., attempts to cut assista
