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ONLINE EVENT: Biden’s Central America Plan – Perspectives from the Region  

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During his presidential campaign, Joe Biden announced an ambitious four-year, $4 billion regional strategy for Central America. The plan focuses on tackling the root causes driving migration from Northern Triangle countries — the main source of unauthorized migration to the United States. This plan represents a sharp departure from the Trump administration’s approach and an effort to address the economic, security, and governance causes of migration. Biden’s concern for this region is long-standing. As vice president under President Barack Obama, he backed the Alliance for Prosperity initiative, also focused on creating the development conditions to allow people to keep living in their countries. 

But the underlying problems have only worsened. Countries already beset by natural disasters, violence, transnational criminal organizations, and poverty, are now battling the health, economic and social impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, corruption is rampant in these countries, which makes executing such an ambitious plan very difficult.

  • What are the obstacles to success in Biden’s plan?
  • What are the lessons learned from previous efforts? 
  • Is the focus on the Northern Triangle appropriate, or is a broader concept necessary? 
  • How can Central Americans best take advantage of the opportunity for deeper engagement represented by Biden?   

Against this backdrop, a group of Central American leaders have focused on the future of the region and its relationship with the United States and have issued a set of recommendations to rebuild a fruitful partnership. The Dialogue is pleased to host a conversation with some of these leaders to analyze the challenges facing Central America and their proposals for a path forward.  

Follow this event on Twitter at #CAUSPartnership and @The_Dialogue. 

We invite participants to submit questions using the Q&A function in Zoom, the event hashtag on Twitter OR to email questions to meetings@thedialogue.org.  

Watch the event here: 

Introductory Remarks:

Michael Shifter

President, Inter-American Dialogue (@MichaelShifter)

Presentation:

Laura Chinchilla

Former President of Costa Rica; Co-Chair, Inter-American Dialogue (@Laura_Ch)

Speakers:

Eduardo Stein

Former Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala; Member, Inter-American Dialogue (@EduardoStein_gt)

Cristiana Chamorro

Nicaraguan Journalist; Founder, Violeta Chamorro Foundation (@Chamorrocris)

María Eugenia Brizuela de Avila

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador

Isabel de Saint Malo

Former Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama (@IsabelStMalo)

Commentator: 

RICARDO ZÚÑIGA

Senior Diplomatic Fellow, Woodrow Wilson Center

Moderator:

Manuel Orozco

Director, Center for Migration and Economic Stabilization, Creative Associates International; Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Inter-American Dialogue (@manuelorozco65)

EVENT PARTNER

This event is hosted in partnership with Creative Associates International.

 

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