A Conversation on the Future of Central America: The Challenges of Insecurity and Trade, Keynote Address by Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla
Looking toward the future, Central America faces many challenges. Escalating waves of insecurity and a tide of questions regarding the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement continue to grip the region, at times in ways that threaten its long-term viability.
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. Panelists discussed reducing criminal violence levels in the region, trade and deepening Central America’s economic integration in the world. This is the first in a series of events focusing on the current and future prospects of Central America.
After each panel, participants took audience questions.
Agenda
8:30 AM -- Welcome and Introduction
Mauricio Cárdenas
Visiting Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy - Colombia University
Former Minister of Finance and Public Credit - Republic of Colombia
Former Brookings Expert
Nick Rischbieth
President
8:45 AM -- Panel 1: The Challenges of Citizen Insecurity and Organized Crime in Central America
Kevin Casas-Zamora
Former Brookings Expert
Director, Programa Estado de Derecho, Diálogo Interamericano
Carlos Castresana
Attorney General, Supreme Court of Spain
Brian Nichols
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Albert Ramdin
Assistant Secretary General
12:00 PM -- Keynote Address
Laura Chinchilla
President
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