Updated February 18, 2022
Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy Overview
The United States and neighboring Latin America and the
under the government of Nicolás Maduro has resulted in an
Caribbean (LAC) maintain strong linkages based on
estimated 6 million migrants and is a challenge for the
geographic proximity and diverse U.S. interests, including
entire hemisphere. Haiti remains in turmoil after the
economic, political, and security concerns. The United
assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021,
States is a major trading partner and source of foreign
contending with uncertainty over the future of elections, a
investment for many of the 33 countries in LAC, with free-
surge in gang violence, and the aftermath of a severe
trade agreements enhancing economic linkages with 11
earthquake that struck in August. In Nicaragua, President
countries. The region is a large source of U.S. immigration,
Daniel Ortega’s government escalated repression by
both authorized and irregular; major factors driving
arresting opposition figures and banning major opposition
migration include proximity, economic and security
parties from participating in the country’s November 2021
conditions, natural disasters, and familial ties. Curbing the
elections, in which Ortega claimed victory. The Cuban
flow of illicit drugs has been a long-standing component of
government responded to widespread anti-government
relations, involving close cooperation with Mexico,
protests in July with mass arrests and detentions and
Colombia, Central America, and the Caribbean. U.S.
suppressed subsequent plans for a nationwide march.
Administrations have long supported democracy and human
rights in the region, with a current focus on Cuba,
Biden Administration Policy
Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as well as on democratic
In its initial months, the Biden Administration focused
backsliding and corruption in other countries.
extensively on addressing the root causes of Central
American migration. President Biden ended some of the
Increasing Challenges in the Region
Trump Administration’s restrictive immigration policies,
Over the past several years, the quality of democracy has
while contending with a large increase in the number of
eroded in a number of countries in LAC, along with public
undocumented Central American and other migrants
satisfaction with how democracy is working. In addition to
seeking to enter the United States. In July 2021, the
Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua—all ruled by authoritarian
Administration released two new strategies to address the
governments repressing the political opposition—human
underlying causes that push Central Americans to migrate
rights groups have expressed concerns about democratic
and to manage migration in the region collaboratively. The
backsliding in several other countries. Many countries in
Administration also has imposed targeted sanctions for
LAC experienced social unrest in 2019, fueled by such
corruption against dozens of current and former officials of
political factors as weak democratic institutions, politicized
the governments of Central America’s Northern Triangle
judicial systems, corruption scandals, and high levels of
countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras).
crime and violence and by such economic factors as
In addition, the Administration has fleshed out its broader
declining or stagnant growth rates and high levels of
approach toward the region. Its priorities include efforts to
income inequality and poverty.
promote public health and economic recovery from the
Since 2020, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic; to work with partners to promote inclusive
pandemic has had widespread public health, economic, and
democracy throughout the region; to provide support to
political effects in LAC. As of early February 2022, the
address Haiti’s humanitarian, security, and political
region reported over 1.6 million deaths (almost 28% of
challenges; and to engage more broadly with the region to
deaths worldwide). The Pan American Health Organization
address migration challenges. To advance these and other
reported that 63% of the region’s population was fully
initiatives, the Administration’s FY2022 budget request for
vaccinated as of early February 2022 but noted that more
foreign assistance to LAC amounts to almost $2.1 billion,
than one in four people across the Americas had yet to
nearly 16% over estimated FY2021 appropriations. The
receive a single dose. The International Monetary Fund
request includes almost $861 million to Central America to
(IMF) reported a 6.9% regional economic decline in 2020;
address the root causes of irregular migration.
as a result, poverty and inequality have increased.
The Administration also is providing significant pandemic-
Most LAC countries have begun to recover economically,
related assistance to the region. As of mid-February 2022,
with the IMF estimating a regional growth rate of 6.8% in
the United States had donated over 62 million doses to 29
2021 and projecting more modest growth of 2.4% in 2022.
LAC countries. As of November 2021, the State
Nevertheless, many countries may struggle with protracted
Department and the U.S. Agency for International
recoveries. The pandemic-related economic setback
Development reported providing more than $614 million in
contributed to increased protests in LAC in 2020 and 2021.
aid to support the pandemic response.
The region’s economic decline, along with difficult security
On Venezuela, the Biden Administration continues to
and political conditions, also has helped fuel migration.
pressure the Maduro government through sanctions and
The region faces numerous political challenges. In
state its commitment to working multilaterally to press for a
Venezuela, the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis
return to democracy. The Administration also continues to
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Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy Overview
provide humanitarian support to Venezuelans inside and
Both houses have approved broad bills aimed at positioning
outside the country. In March 2021, the Secretary of
the United States to better compete with China that include
Homeland Security granted temporary protected status
numerous provisions on LAC. In June 2021, the Senate
(TPS) to Venezuelans in the United States.
approved S. 1260, the United States Innovation and
Competition Act of 2021, and on February 4, 2022, the
The Administration has imposed sanctions on Cuba and
House approved H.R. 4521, the America Creating
Nicaragua as their governments have become more
Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in
repressive. As the human rights situation has deteriorated in
Technology, and Economic Strength Act of 2022 (America
Cuba, the Administration has imposed targeted sanctions
COMPETES Act of 2022). Both bills would require the
against security officials and entities involved in the
Administration to develop strategies to increase exports of
repression. In Nicaragua, the Administration has imposed
U.S. goods and services to LAC and to strengthen U.S.
targeted sanctions on officials involved in undermining
economic competitiveness and promote good governance,
democracy, including a new round of sanctions in the wake
human rights, and the rule of law in LAC. Both also would
of the country’s “sham election.” It also has worked
require a report assessing China’s engagement in
multilaterally to denounce Nicaragua’s human rights
international organizations and the defense sector in LAC;
violations and antidemocratic actions.
support U.S. defense cooperation in the region; and increase
On Haiti, the Administration is working to support
U.S. engagement with civil society regarding
conditions for free and fair elections, including support to
accountability, human rights, and the risks of pervasive
restore security and address gang violence. The United
surveillance technologies. In addition, S. 1260 would
States remains Haiti’s largest donor of humanitarian aid.
authorize a capital increase for the Inter-American
Development Bank and H.R. 4521 would increase U.S.
Among other issues, the Biden Administration has
engagement with the Caribbean and require the
reincorporated cooperation on climate change into the U.S.
Administration to devise a strategy to expand U.S.
policy approach toward LAC. The next Summit of the
educational and cultural diplomacy and to report on China’s
Americas, scheduled to be hosted by the United States on
related activity in LAC.
June 6-10, 2022, in Los Angeles, could provide a
significant opportunity for the Administration to deepen
Both houses have approved different versions of a
U.S. diplomatic engagement with hemispheric leaders.
legislative initiative on Haiti. In June 2021, the House
passed H.R. 2471, the Haiti Development, Accountability,
Legislative Action in the 117th Congress
and Institutional Transparency Initiative Act, which would
Congress traditionally has played an active role in policy
promote the sustainable rebuilding and development of
toward LAC in terms of both legislation and oversight.
Haiti and would prioritize U.S. support for anti-corruption
Since 2020, Congress has appropriated some $17 billion in
efforts and human rights. The Senate approved the bill,
international affairs funding to respond to COVID-19
amended, in January 2022.
globally. In the 117th Congress, this funding included $10.8
billion appropriated in the American Rescue Plan Act of
The House and Senate approved several resolutions in 2021
2021 (P.L. 117-2), enacted in March 2021. The funding has
on U.S. relations with LAC. On the human rights situation
supported contributions to multilateral efforts and health
in Cuba, the House approved H.Res. 760 in November and
interventions, humanitarian assistance, and donation of
the Senate approved S.Res. 37, S.Res. 81, and S.Res. 310
COVID-19 vaccine doses worldwide, including to LAC.
from April to July. The Senate also approved S.Res. 22 on
Ecuador in April and S.Res. 120, on the forthcoming
In November 2021, Congress approved the Reinforcing
Summit of the Americas, in May.
Nicaragua’s Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform
Act of 2021 (RENACER Act; P.L. 117-54), which directs
In other action, the House approved H.R. 6 in March 2021,
the Administration to use diplomatic tools and targeted
which would provide a pathway to citizenship for those
sanctions against antidemocratic actions and corruption.
brought to the United States as children and those from
countries with TPS designations. In July 2021, the Senate
In December 2021, Congress approved the National
approved S. 2045, which would rename the street in front of
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 (P.L. 117-
the Cuban Embassy after a Cuban democracy activist.
81), which includes provisions on Colombia, Central
America, and China’s presence and influence in the region.
Also see CRS Report R46781, Latin America and the
Caribbean: U.S. Policy and Key Issues in the 117th
In pending legislation, Congress has not completed an
Congress; CRS Report R47028, U.S. Foreign Assistance to
FY2022 foreign aid appropriations bill. The House
Latin America and the Caribbean: FY2022 Appropriations;
approved its version, H.R. 4373 (H.Rept. 117-84), in July
CRS In Focus IF11581, Latin America and the Caribbean:
2021, and the Senate Appropriations Committee introduced
Impact of COVID-19; CRS In Focus IF10982, China’s
its version, S. 3075, in October 2021. The House bill would
Engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean; and
provide assistance to several key countries and programs in
CRS In Focus IF12031, Anti-corruption Efforts in Latin
the region at levels matching or exceeding the
Administration’s budget request, including assistance to
America and the Caribbean.
Central America, Colombia, Mexico, and regional
assistance to the Caribbean. The Senate committee version
Mark P. Sullivan, Specialist in Latin American Affairs
would provide slightly more assistance than requested for
IF10460
Colombia and the Caribbean but over $200 million less
than requested for Central America.
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Latin America and the Caribbean: U.S. Policy Overview


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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF10460 · VERSION 27 · UPDATED

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