America.gov-World Regions: The Americas

Latin American Countries Should Develop New Business Sectors

Phil Kurata — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:48:48 GMT

Western Hemisphere political and business leaders gather for the annual meeting of the Council of the Americas. Peru's finance minister outlines his country’s strategy to maintain high economic growth while reducing poverty, including deregulating the labor market and raising educational standards.

Merida Initiative Takes Aim at Transnational Crime

Phil Kurata — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:13:27 GMT

Under the Merida Initiative, the United States, Mexico and several Central American countries are confronting the shared threat of transnational organized crime. A U.S. diplomat says the United States has a strategic interest in reinforcing this partnership to check illicit activity in the region.

Democracy Transforming the Americas, Says Rice

Phil Kurata — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:36:32 GMT

Democracy has transformed the Americas over the past decade, says Secretary of State Rice. The United States has fostered partnerships with countries in the Western Hemisphere through aid programs that complement trade agreements, debt forgiveness and by promoting trade and development.

Inter-American Meeting to Focus on Youth and Democratic Values

Phil Kurata — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:20:45 GMT

The views of civil society will be well-represented at the annual meeting of the Organization of American States General Assembly in Colombia in June. Organizers expect about 200 representatives from 94 civil society groups to participate. Creating jobs for youth will be a priority at the event.

U.S. Seeks Social Justice and Security in the Americas, Says Bush

Phil Kurata — Wed, 07 May 2008 18:20:57 GMT

The United States is committed to partnerships with its neighbors, to promote social justice, opportunity and security for the Americas, says President Bush, and make the region “a place where poverty gives way to prosperity.”

Terrorism, Crime Often Linked, Says Report

Phil Kurata — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:39:36 GMT

While recent years have seen a drop in terrorism in the Western Hemisphere, a U.S. report highlights a new challenge: the growing link between terrorists and transnational organized crime. Terrorist activities are funded by contributions from individuals, false charities and front organizations and, increasingly, from criminal activity.

Citizen Involvement in Summit of the Americas Process Expanding

Phil Kurata — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:15:22 GMT

Citizen involvement is increasing in the Summit of the Americas process, as demonstrated by a recent Civil Society Hemispheric Forum in Miami. About 120 representatives of civil society organizations from more than 30 countries in the Americas participated. Some of them share their thoughts on the process with America.gov.

Long-term Approach to Food Aid Problems Necessary, Rice Says

Phil Kurata — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:11:02 GMT

An integrated approach to dealing with food aid problems can help avert future food crises, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says. America needs to be able to purchase food in regions where it is most likely to be needed. Local purchasing would drive down transportation costs and be good for markets seeking local goods, she says.

Public-Private Partnerships Foster Innovative Solutions

Phil Kurata — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:41:01 GMT

What would you do if you were offered $1 million to build a robot vehicle that could drive at speed, park, avoid pedestrians and cars driven by professional racers, and obey traffic laws? A Virginia Tech student jumped at the chance to team with professional engineers outfitting a car with electronics and computers to do just that.

Three-Nation Partnership Growing Strong, Says Negroponte

Phil Kurata — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:54:48 GMT

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte authors an op-ed in the Times-Picayune of New Orleans on the United States’ strong partnership with Mexico and Canada. The three nations’ “unprecedented levels of cooperation … at every level” are making their citizens “safer and more competitive in the world,” he says.

North American Leaders Defend Free Trade Pact

Phil Kurata — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 07:55:10 GMT

Since the United States, Canada and Mexico established the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, trade has tripled, laying a firm foundation for expanded regional cooperation, President Bush says. Bush and the leaders of Canada and Mexico praise the trade pact following their meeting in New Orleans.

Democracy in Colombia Seen Making Measurable Gains

Phil Kurata — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:31:20 GMT

Colombia is making measurable progress in reducing drug-fueled violence and in defeating a rebel group fighting the government, says Gerard Martin, director of the Colombia program at Georgetown University in Washington. Martin says that despite its problems, Colombia’s democratic government is becoming a Latin American success story.

U.S. Adopters of Foreign Orphans Undergo Tough Scrutiny

Phil Kurata — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:53:56 GMT

The United States adopts more children from abroad than all other countries combined. This is because of a culture of adoption in America, where a child does not have to be genetically linked to its parents to be loved, experts say. Strong institutional safeguards protecting children’s rights and well-being also play a role.

United States Values Strong Ties with Canada, Mexico

Phil Kurata — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:48:37 GMT

The United States has no closer neighbors than Canada and Mexico, says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, making the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America a unique regional forum on trade and security issues. The relationship among the three countries is “one of the most critical” in American foreign policy, Rice says.

High Food Prices, Urban Migration Make It Hard to Help the Poor

Phil Kurata — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:53:39 GMT

The dynamics of development and humanitarian assistance are changing, according to Henrietta Fore, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. At a major international food aid conference, Fore and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer discuss new challenges posed by high food prices for donors and recipients.

Food Crisis Has Long-Term Global Challenges, Rice Says

Phil Kurata — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:00:03 GMT

President Bush is seeking an additional $350 million from Congress to provide immediate emergency food assistance, but the current food crisis has long-term global challenges, says Secretary Condoleezza Rice. "We need to encourage farmers and transporters, markets and governments to meet this urgent worldwide challenge," she says.

U.N. Calls for New Food Donations, Predicts Long-term Success

Phil Kurata — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:49:55 GMT

U.N. World Food Programme Director Josette Sheeran asks donor countries to increase aid for the world’s hungry. At the same time, she says at the 10th annual International Food Aid Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, that her organization is making progress in building long-term solutions by helping farmers in developing countries.

U.S. Committed to Building New Security Partnerships

Phil Kurata — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:22:02 GMT

America’s diplomats and military personnel are coming together in new ways to help friends and allies better safeguard their countries, improve area livelihoods and build regional security. Civilian and military experts are "building partner capacity" in many areas, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says.

Bush Orders $200 Million for Emergency Food Relief

Phil Kurata — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:43:45 GMT

Responding aggressively to a worsening global food crisis, President Bush orders some $200 million in emergency U.S. food assistance to address the impact of rising commodity prices on U.S. emergency food aid programs, meet unanticipated food aid needs in Africa and elsewhere, and help relieve political instability in some regions.

Rising Global Food Prices Likely to Continue, Say Experts

Phil Kurata — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:10:15 GMT

Sharply rising costs for food staples and fuel are leading to deadly clashes in impoverished countries and likely will continue for some time, international experts say. Rising prices are attributed to a combination of factors, including reduced production, low food stocks, drought and higher energy and transportation costs.

Bush Administration Seeks $37 Billion To Bolster Diplomacy

Phil Kurata — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:11:52 GMT

President Bush is seeking more than $37 billion from Congress in fiscal year 2009 spending to strengthen U.S. diplomacy by helping countries build democracy, recover from conflicts and improve lives and livelihoods by confronting disease and poverty. Speaking before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee, Secretary Rice outlines key priorities.

Dominican-American Author Junot Diaz Wins Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

Phil Kurata — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:03:32 GMT

The 2008 Pulitzer Prize for fiction secures the reputation of Dominican-born writer Junot Diaz as a singular talent with an original literary voice. The award for The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao crowns Diaz's lifetime fascination with literature and underscores growing Latino prominence in U.S. arts and letters, critics say.

Juan Valdez Travels the World, Sends Profits Home to Colombia

Phil Kurata — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:42:28 GMT

For more than 40 years, Colombian coffee has sold on average at 20 cents a kilo higher than coffee from other countries. "Every single kilo, for 40 years. That's a lot of money," says lawyer Michael Ryan. Colombia's success in the global coffee trade has lessons for other developing countries seeking greater returns on commodity exports.

U.S.-Colombia Trade Pact Would Enhance Prosperity, Security

Phil Kurata — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:02:22 GMT

In an April 7 opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal entitled "The Colombia Trade Stakes," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice explains how approving the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement would benefit both countries and the region.

U.N. Peacekeeping Vital to International Security

Phil Kurata — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:29:06 GMT

U.N. peacekeeping operations serve as crucial tools in addressing a wide array of threats to international peace and security, especially where direct military involvement by the United States is not necessary or appropriate, a senior U.S. diplomat says at a congressional hearing on U.S. support and funding for such operations.

Baseball, Once Just an American Game, Extends Reach Worldwide

Phil Kurata — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:53:45 GMT

When major league baseball introduced the “World Series” in 1903, the name was an exercise in hyperbole. The sport was strictly American in nature, and the bulk of players and managers were U.S. natives. But as the game has grown in popularity around the world and international superstars develop, the “World” aspect has become a reality.

Latina Women Expand Political Involvement in the United States

Phil Kurata — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:01:17 GMT

Latina women slowly but surely are making their presence known on the American political scene thanks in part to programs that encourage them to do so. America.gov talks to participants in the Elección Latina political training program at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Bolivian Cocoa Bean Co-op Seen as Model for the Americas

Phil Kurata — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:08:37 GMT

Representatives from the Bolivian Cocoa Bean Cooperative known as El Ceibo traveled to North America recently to talk about the “power of chocolate” and, more specifically, the power of a group of families to succeed in the international cocoa market.

Independent Journalists Struggle to Survive in Cuba

Phil Kurata — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:50:40 GMT

Five years after Cuba’s communist regime arrested and sentenced 27 journalists to prison, a small, brave force of independent journalists continues to work in the Caribbean nation. America.gov talks to press freedom advocates and Cuba experts about the significance of recent human rights developments in the island nation.

Overriding Interests Help Prevent South American Conflict

Phil Kurata — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:52:05 GMT

Overriding trade and economic interests helped defuse an explosive situation in South America’s Andean region, analysts tell America.gov. A raid by Colombian forces on a guerrilla camp in Ecuador had drawn angry reactions from Venezuela and Ecuador, but regional leaders ended the crisis, for now, at a meeting in the Dominican Republic.

Paraguayan Woman Fights Million-Dollar Trafficking Industry

Phil Kurata — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:25:32 GMT

Cynthia Bendlin is defying organized crime interests as she campaigns to end human slavery in Paraguay and neighboring countries. She has conducted seminars to educate public officials about human trafficking and is planning a new project to increase multinational, interagency coordination to combat the problem.

Extreme Sports Offer Salvadoran Youth Refuge from Violence

Phil Kurata — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:17:07 GMT

Soyapango, where rival gangs have carved the suburb into home turfs ruled by violent crime, is one of the most densely populated and most dangerous communities in El Salvador. But with the help of a U.S. grant, Fundacion Salvador del Mundo works to draw young people away from violence and into sports.