PAST EVENT
Thursday, December 01, 2011
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Washington, DC
On December 1, the Latin America Initiative at Brookings and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration hosted a discussion on the opportunities open to Central America and the role of the public and private sector in the development of infrastructure and energy projects. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, November 17, 2011
2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Washington, DC
On November 17, the Latin America Initiative at Brookings hosted a discussion of its biannual Brookings Latin America Economic Perspectives report. The report analyzed the economic resilience of Latin American countries while attempting to understand the obstacles which are hindering the development of a regional agenda. Leading international experts discussed the findings of the report, analyzed the region’s economic performance and set forth recommendations for governments and policymakers. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Abraham F. Lowenthal, November 01, 2011, The Brookings Institution
Abraham Lowenthal assesses the structural, historical and institutional differences among Latin American and Caribbean countries, and outlines the impact these differences should have on international relations and domestic policies.
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Kevin Casas-Zamora, September 16, 2011, The Brookings Institution
Following elections on September 11 that resulted in no clear winner, Guatemala will now face a run-off election in early November. Faced with pervasive organized crime and drug-related violence spilling over from Mexico, Kevin Casas-Zamora writes that Guatemala is facing an existential test that may well have regional implications. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Mauricio Cárdenas and Joshua Meltzer, July 2011, The Brookings Institution
A trio of trade agreements that have now passed Congress would benefit the United States both economically and strategically, write Mauricio Cárdenas and Joshua Meltzer. According to the authors, carefully developed accords with South Korea, Colombia and Panama will boost U.S. exports significantly, especially in the key automotive, agricultural and commercial services sectors. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kevin Casas-Zamora, June 30, 2011, The Brookings Institution
Although there was much talk of drug-consuming countries' co-responsibility at the recent Central American security summit in Guatemala, few concrete steps were taken to address the blight of organized crime in the region. Kevin Casas-Zamora argues that without external assistance, Central America cannot make real progress in overcoming these challenges. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kevin Casas-Zamora, June 2011, The Brookings Institution
Kevin Casas-Zamora examines three issues that remain crucial to Central America’s development and will continue to make the region prone to political crises and democratic reversals: state weaknesses, the region’s uncertain integration in the world economy, and crime and violence. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kevin Casas-Zamora, June 22, 2011, LA Times
Organized crime and violence permeates Central American countries. The rampant drug trafficking within the region only exacerbates this problem. Kevin Casas-Zamora suggests methods through which Central American countries can begin amending their societies, emphasizing the importance of profoundly reforming taxation systems in order to gain effective territorial control. Read More
PAST EVENT
Friday, May 20, 2011
8:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Washington, DC
On May 20, the Latin America Initiative at Brookings and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration hosted a discussion on the current and future prospects of Central America, featuring a keynote address by Laura Chinchilla, president of the Republic of Costa Rica. Read More
PAST EVENT
Friday, April 15, 2011
9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Washington, DC
In the wake of the most severe financial crisis in recent times, Latin America is witnessing unprecedented economic challenges and opportunities that are shaping the region’s growth and development prospects. On April 15, the Latin America Initiative hosted the launch of its biannual Latin America Economic Perspectives report, which examines the scope and effectiveness of the policies and strategies that countries in the region are implementing—or should implement—to address the challenges of today’s global economy. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Mauricio Cárdenas and Eduardo Levy-Yeyati, April 14, 2011, The Brookings Institution
While Latin America’s economy continues to thrive, Central America and the Caribbean are still struggling from the 2008 economic crisis. However, many worry that Latin America’s success has come at a high cost. Mauricio Cárdenas and Eduardo Levy-Yeyati write that high commodity export prices or volumes in one sector are at the expense of other sectors. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Mauricio Cárdenas, March 17, 2011, The Brookings Institution
President Obama made a positive first impression during the Summit of Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in April 2009. During this visit, he spoke about partnership and camaraderie with his Latin American neighbors. However, little progress has been made since this meeting. With his much anticipated visit to Latin America, Mauricio Cárdenas says it is time for President Obama to deliver on his promises. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Mauricio Cárdenas, March 17, 2011, Foreign Policy
With revolutions causing political upheaval in the Middle East, an unprecedented natural disaster devastating Japan, and his own government facing unending dilemmas, President Obama’s five-day tour of Latin America may seem like poor timing. However, Mauricio Cárdenas says Obama’s trip south is not only long overdue, but important for long-term U.S. interests.
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RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kevin Casas-Zamora, March 16, 2011, The Brookings Institution
President Obama visits El Salvador March 22-23 to begin a new round of U.S. engagement in the region. The agenda for Obama and President Mauricio Funes will likely include crucial issues regarding immigration, free trade and security. Kevin Casas-Zamora previews the upcoming visit and explains why the United States has a stake in Central America's future. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kevin Casas-Zamora, October 27, 2010, The Brookings Institution
Five of six Central American countries recently made the 2010 list of nations with major drug trafficking or producing problems. Kevin Casas-Zamora writes on the region’s drug-related security plight, arguing for increased funding on the part of the United States; and improvements in law enforcement, opportunities for youth, and tax collection on the part of individual Central American countries. Read More