Central America

U.S. Strategy for Engagement in Central America

Under the leadership of President Obama, security interests made the United States work with the Central American governments to improve the situation. Congress backed up the administration and advanced the funds to promote prosperity, improve security, and strengthen the governance in the region with mutual interests. The strategy has far been suspended from 2019 by the Trump administration, citing the continuous flow of asylum seekers and refugees to the United States. The countries in these regions have been a hindrance to the U.S policy in the Western hemisphere, and they face significant political and legal challenges in their governance (Meyer & Library of Congress, 2019). There also exhibit high levels of poverty and unemployment. It was with the U.S. interests to help stop Coke trafficking in the countries in which 90% ends up in the U.S.

The project was to support the Northern triangle member countries, which saw them receive up to 2.6 billion dollars under Obama’s administration by the support of the congress. The y were targeted to bring prosperity in the region through; diversification and connection of electric grids, improve and support their education systems to strengthen their quality, elevate the trade and transport infrastructure, reduce poverty among the citizens, and support natural disaster resilience. A significant boost of governance was the core, and they were helping professionalize the civil service, improve fiscal accountability, help engage the government to uphold democratic values, and implement justice reforms.

Elevation of security in the region was progressive through the professionalization of civilian police, reduction of violence at local levels, the professionalization of regional militaries, and reduce the influence of organized crime and gangs (Meyer & Library of Congress, 2019). After four years of the working program, it seems early to ascertain a significant change in the region. The Central America strategy has been under implementation for the past two and a half years, and they have been positive records on most of their performance indicators. Most of the community-based aids by the U.S have helped the countries reduce effectively in crimes and violence. There has been a 50% reduction in extortions and murders, with scaled-up rural developments that have directly helped elevate approximately 90,000 people from extreme poverty conditions.

Reference

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Meyer, P. J., & Library of Congress. (2019). U.S. strategy for engagement in Central America: Policy issues for Congress. (CRS reports (Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service).

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