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Dominican Republic

Mérida Initiative for Mexico and Central America: Funding and Policy Issues

Posted Fri, 08/21/2009 - 00:00

Increasing violence perpetrated by drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and other criminal groups is threatening citizen security in Mexico and Central America. Drug-related violence claimed more than 5,600 lives in Mexico in 2008, and several Central American countries have among the highest homicide rates in the world. Mexican DTOs dominate the illicit drug market in the United States and are expanding their operations by forming partnerships with U.S. gangs. As a result, some of the drug-related violence in Mexico has spilled over into the United States.

Honduran-U.S. Relations

Posted Tue, 08/04/2009 - 00:00

The Central American nation of Honduras, one of the hemisphere's poorest countries, faces significant challenges in the areas of crime, human rights, and improving overall economic and living conditions. While traditional agricultural exports of coffee and bananas are still important for the economy, nontraditional sectors, especially the maquiladora, or export-processing industry, have grown significantly over the past decade. Among the country's development challenges are a poverty rate over 70%, high infant mortality, and a significant HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Merida Initiative for Mexico and Central America: Funding and Policy Issues

Posted Sun, 07/12/2009 - 00:00

Increasing violence perpetrated by drug trafficking organizations, gangs, and other criminal
groups is threatening citizen security in Mexico and Central America. Drug-related violence
claimed more than 5,300 lives in Mexico in 2008, and several Central American countries have
some of the highest homicide rates in the world. Mexican drug cartels dominate the illicit drug
market in most regions of the United States and are expanding their operations by forming
partnerships with U.S. gangs.

Haiti: Current Conditions and Congressional Concerns

Posted Sun, 07/12/2009 - 00:00

Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. Since the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986, Haiti has struggled to overcome its centuries-long legacy of authoritarianism, extreme poverty, and underdevelopment. While some progress has been made in developing democratic institutions, they remain weak. Economic and social stability have improved considerably. But poverty remains massive and deep, and economic disparity is wide. In May 2006, Ren Prval began his second five-year term as President of Haiti.

Costa Rica: Background and U.S. Relations

Posted Tue, 06/02/2009 - 00:00

Costa Rica is a relatively politically stable and economically developed nation with a long tradition of civilian democracy. Former president (1986-1990) and Nobel-laureate Oscar Arias of the National Liberation Party was elected President in 2006. Throughout his term, Arias has focused on expanding the countrys social safety net and increasing free trade. He faced strong opposition to the countrys inclusion in the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), but eventually secured its ratification and implementation.