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This Task Force report takes stock of the current situation in Latin America and the main challenges and opportunities for U.S.-Latin America relations. Latin America has benefited greatly in recent years from democratic opening, stable economic policies, and increasing growth. Many countries are taking advantage of these developments to consolidate democratic institutions, broaden economic opportunities, and better serve their citizens. Yet Latin American nations face daunting challenges as they integrate into global markets and work to strengthen historically weak state institutions. These challenges increasingly matter for the United States, as deepening economic and social ties link U.S. well-being to the region’s stability and development.

Rather than an exhaustive study of U.S.-Latin America relations and policies, this report does not reprise many long-standing initiatives or the intricacies of each bilateral relationship. Nor, given Latin America’s complexity and level of development, does it seek to define the entire U.S. approach with one overarching grand idea. Instead, the Task Force identifies four critical issues and four strategic relationships that merit special attention at this point in time. Poverty and inequality, public security, human mobility, and energy security represent fundamental challenges and opportunities for the region and for U.S.-Latin America relations. These factors affect traditional U.S. objectives of democracy promotion, economic expansion, and counter narcotics. They also reflect new policy issues arising from the increasing societal and economic integration of the Western Hemisphere. In addition, the Task Force calls for the deepening of the United States’ relations with Mexico and Brazil, and the redefining of relations with Venezuela and Cuba.

In pursuing its objectives through the concrete policy recommendations laid out in this report, the United States must focus its efforts and resources on helping Latin America strengthen the public institutions necessary to address the challenges identified in this report. In doing so, Washington should work in partnership with Latin American nations through multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Finance Corporation, and Organization of American States (OAS). It should also continue to work closely with civil society organizations and domestic and international businesses to create more inclusive economic, social, and political opportunities for Latin American countries and their citizens, which will benefit U.S. policy goals.

Achieving the ambitious goals of strengthening institutions and improving the lives of Latin Americans will require long-term efforts on the part of many participants, most importantly Latin American governments and societies themselves. Nevertheless, there is a significant supporting role for the United States. Expanding its policy framework and concentrating on strategic regional partnerships will best promote U.S. interests, enhancing stability, security, and prosperity throughout the hemisphere.