Region Archives - Page 39 of 142

Science and technology cooperation: A key strategy for U.S. engagement in Latin America

A recent publication by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD (R&E)) highlighted the need for the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to “stay abreast of emerging S&T (Science and Technology) around the world, leverage others’ investments and seek out collaborations in areas where researchers need to remain at the leading edge.” The report makes clear that, in order to confront the challenge posed by revisionist powers (RPs) in Latin America, a far larger S&T engagement strategy that encompasses a “whole-of-government” approach must be undertaken.

admin June 1, 2021

Ecuador’s new president: Hope for a fresh start

Guillermo Lasso was inaugurated as Ecuador’s 47th president on Monday. Given a divided legislature, the new president should prioritize unity.

admin May 27, 2021

Chile’s Constitutional Convention elections: institutional uncertainty and the long shadow of October 2019

Two things stood out when Chileans went to the polls for last October’s national plebiscite on the drafting of a new constitution. First, nearly 80 percent voted in favor of commencing the process to eventually draft a new constitution, signifying a fairly broad popular consensus that the path toward fixing the country’s ills would be an institutional one—quite a relief after the experience of the 2019 protests. Second, there was a high voter turnout: over 7.5 million Chileans, more than 50 percent of eligible voters, cast a ballot, marking the highest turnout since 2009 (in the middle of a pandemic, no less).

admin May 21, 2021

What will be the alternative to Bolsonaro?

Vaccine developments at the beginning of 2021 represented a crucial step toward overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, and inaugurating a new era for all of Brazil. Nevertheless, another task remains crucial for the country: the development of an alternative to the government of President Jair Bolsonaro.

admin May 12, 2021

Lessons from Paraguay and Guyana’s brushes with Chinese vaccine diplomacy

The ambition and capability of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to affect the political affairs of nations across Latin America and the Caribbean have only grown during the global pandemic. Recent events in Guyana and Paraguay show that COVID-19 vaccines have influenced governments, either directly or indirectly, toward Beijing’s political preferences.

Henry Bacha May 11, 2021

Chinese engagement in the Dominican Republic: An update

Chinese advances in the Dominican Republic that once inspired concern in Washington have gone largely unrealized. For the U.S., the Dominican Republic represents both a fleeting opportunity and challenge in its struggle against China’s expanding presence in the greater Caribbean region.

Evan Ellis May 7, 2021

Threats to democracy increase as President Bukele moves to control El Salvador’s judiciary

President Nayib Bukele’s drive to consolidate power represents another test of the international community’s ability to defend democratic principles. With El Salvador’s democracy in grave jeopardy, the stakes for the U.S. and the rest of Central America could not be higher.

Orlando J. Pérez May 6, 2021

Widening the Aperture: Nearshoring in Our ‘Near Abroad’ (an Executive Summary)

If the United States allows other Caribbean Basin countries to be eligible for components of its ambitious domestic agenda, it could simultaneously increase U.S. competitiveness and provide benefits to the region that far outweigh any traditional foreign assistance programs.

admin May 4, 2021

Tragedies at sea: Venezuelan migrants continue to flock to Trinidad and Tobago despite border closure

There are over five million Venezuelan refugees and migrants around the world, of whom 200,000 are estimated to be in the Caribbean. Despite border closures and often dangerous travel conditions, Venezuelan migrants continue to try and make the journey to Trinidad and Tobago.

admin April 30, 2021

Strengthening U.S.-Caribbean relations through the Caribbean diaspora

The U.S.-based Caribbean diaspora, as diverse as the region itself, constitutes a mosaic of communities. Coordinating, listening, and working with the Caribbean diaspora will provide U.S. policymakers with pathways to internalize the complexities of the region at large as well as the dynamics within specific Caribbean nations.

Georges Fauriol April 30, 2021