Miami Group discusses U.S.-Latin American relations after the November 4 election

By Landen Romei
October 23, 2008

At the fifth Miami Group dinner, participants discussed the incoming administration’s potential effect on Latin America. This exclusive event took place on October 23 at the beautiful apartment of Beatrice Rangel. An initial presentation by Michael Shifter, the Dialogue’s Vice President for Policy, was followed by comments from Marifeli Pérez-Stable and Peter Hakim.

Shifter opened by recognizing that Latin America will not be the next president’s highest priority. However, the current financial crisis adds pressure to pass the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Shifter urges the United States to undertake a broader strategy toward Mexico that goes beyond aid packages. Based on the results of a recent Latinobarómetro poll, Shifter concluded that Latin Americans have grown more realistic about their relation with the United States. He noted that immigration reform is unlikely.

Pérez-Stable added that a changed tone toward Cuba could establish a much-needed dialogue after nearly a half century of failed policies. According to Hakim, an improved financial climate in the United States would benefit Latin America more than any change in policy.

When the members of the Miami Group joined the discussion, they agreed that Latin America will certainly not top the agenda of the next president’s administration, but were committed to exchanging ideas on an effective strategy toward the region.

While some believe that the United States should become more involved in Latin America, the question as to whether or not Latin America would prefer such a change in policy remains unresolved. As Brazil rises to the forefront of regional politics and intra-region conflicts are settled by Latin Americans, the centrality of the United States may have diminished.

At the same time, given the financial crisis, Latin American economies are not decoupled from the United States. Improving the U.S. economy may be the best way to support the region’s progress. Further job creation here in the United States and investment abroad would improve remittance rates, reestablish U.S. credibility in the world market and pave the road to more effective free trade agreements in the future.

Suggested top priorities for the next administration’s foreign policy toward Latin America include a change in Cuba policy, immigration reform, education improvement in the entire Western Hemisphere, and a new economic strategy toward the region. Participants agree that an active role for the next U.S. president at the Summit of the Americas in April 2009 in Trinidad and Tobago would bode well for relations within the hemisphere.