1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated April 29, 2022Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy OverviewThe United States and neighboring Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) maintain strong linkages based on geographic proximity and diverse U.S. interests, including economic, political, and sec
2、urity concerns. The United States is a major trading partner and source of foreign investment for many of the 33 countries in LAC, with free-trade agreements enhancing economic linkages with 11 countries. The region is a large source of U.S. immigration, both authorized and irregular; major factors
3、driving migration include proximity, economic and security conditions, natural disasters, and familial ties. Curbing the flow of illicit drugs has been a long-standing component of relations, involving close cooperation with Mexico, Colombia, Central America, and the Caribbean. U.S. Administrations
4、have long supported democracy and human rights in the region, with a current focus on Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as well as on democratic backsliding and corruption in other countries. Increasing Challenges in the Region Over the past several years, the quality of democracy has eroded in a numb
