U.S. Latin America Policy The national security interests of the United St

Lowenthal (1990) has pointed out that there are three major threats to these national security interests (pp. 314-315). These are the debt crisis, drug trafficking, and the fragility of Latin America's democratic governments. The debt crisis poses a threat to Latin America's economic development and the drug problem creates a threat to the security and safety of U.S. citizens. In addition, the U.S. objective of preserving stability in the region has resulted in a policy of "nurturing Latin American democracy" (Lowenthal, 1990, p. 315). It may also be noted that the solution of each of these problems is dependent upon the solution of the other two. Thus, the development of democracy is depend

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gh free trade agreements, promoting investment in the region; and easing debt burdens (p. 346). Drug trafficking from Latin America poses an obvious security threat to the United States. According to Woerner (1989), illicit drug trafficking, along with immigration, are two of the most severe problems in terms of U.S.-Latin American relations. In addition to the threat to the safety and well-being of U.S. citizens, the illegal drug trade is dangerous because of the "increasing linkage between narco-traffickers and insurgent movements" in the region (Woerner, 1989, pp. 329-330). In fighting the Latin American drug lords, the U.S. has developed policies for "crop eradication, crop substitution and interdiction" (Lowenthal, 1990, p. 322). However, Bruce Michael Bagley (1989-1990) has claimed that the U.S. drug policy in Colombia places too much emphasis on military action and too little on economic plans which would provide long-term alternatives to the Andean cocaine trade (p. 341). This problem is addressed in the drug control strategy known as the Andean Initiative, which was announced in early 1991. The goals of the Andean Initiative are: to strengthen the commitment of the Latin American countries toward dismantling coc
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Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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