Essay - If You Were A U.s. State Department Advisor Charged with...

If you were a U.S. State Department advisor charged with advising the President on Latin American policy, what are ***** major issues ***** would point to as critical for U.S. interests in the regi*****?

The major issues that I would point ***** as critical for U.S. interest in the region are the economy and human rights. Lets take time to explore *****se issues in detail and expla***** why they are critical.

***** Economy

The economic plight in Latin America is a complex situation. Even though Latin America's ***** economies increased annually at a average r*****e of 3.8% between 1900 ***** 1987, this rate of growth is actually 30 percent more rapid than the industrial countries and ***** 20% faster ***** the United *****s. But the problem in Latin America is heavily influenced by the rapid growth ***** its population because despite all of ***** economic growth the per capita income growth was only 1.7%, which is lower than ***** of *****ized nations. (Latin America in the 21st Century)

For the last four years Argentina's economy, ***** third largest in Latin America, has been in recession ***** there ***** no sign of recover*****g. The real GDP estimate for Argentina year ending 2002 is -8.5 and the consumer price index (inflation) year ***** 2002 ***** 40%. (***** Watch) In recent months the economic situation in ***** has been devastating to the *****. On April 22, 2002 the government in Argentina ordered all of the banks closed in an attempt ***** thwart off a complete disintegration of ***** Country's fin*****cial system. This bank closure ***** a way to ensure that the country will get the economic aid that it needs from the International Monetary Fund. (Argentine Economy Brought to St*****still) A day later the economy minister Jorge Remes Lenicov re*****ed.

***** Venezuelan ***** is also under great distress. The real GDP ***** ending ***** is -3.5 and the consumer price ***** is 32.3%. (Latin Watch) The economic situation in this part ***** Lat***** America has to do ***** the resignation and return to power of President Hugo Chavez. As is true throughout Latin America ***** gap ***** the rich ***** poor is great. Estimates state that 70% ***** Venezuelans live in poverty. One of the major ********** that face the Venezuelan Economy is lack of diversification. The dominant force in th***** economy is oil 80% ***** the total exports in Venezuela come ***** oil. When oil prices ***** high ***** country's economy ***** stable when they are low the economy becomes stagnated.(Uncertainty in *****) Diversification ***** br*****g about balance, ***** their eggs wouldn't be in one basket.

The economic conditions in ***** America are critical to U.S. *****terest in the region because the U.S. has provided billions of dollars, this *****cludes military *****, to Latin America over ***** past ten years. Much of this ***** been provided because of the instability of the economies in that *****. Ensur*****g that these economies gain some stability would benefit not only the U.S. economy but also