How the U.S. Government Makes Latin American Policy

1. How the U.S. Government Makes Latin American Policy

2. What is the implicit power relation?

3. The President and Latin American Policy I • Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution • Power to make treaties with foreign governments • Two-thirds of senate must ratify

4. The President and Latin American Policy II • Commander in chief of armed forces • Traditionally great latitude • 1973 War Powers Resolution • Report to congress within 48 hours of committing • Terminate within 60 days if congress has not declared war • Never formally invoked

5. The President and Latin American Policy III • Breaking diplomatic relations • Traditionally viewed as last resort • Especially serious for countries in the Caribbean Basin • Trade • Foreign investment • Appointing and utilizing ambassadorial personnel

6. Presidential Advisory System: The State Department • Bureau of Inter-American Affairs one of five geographic bureaus of the State Department • Coordinated by the Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs • Functions range from congressional liaison to manage policy in particular sub-region of the hemisphere

7. Effectiveness of Bureau of Inter-American Affairs depends on Foreign Service Personnel • Embassy staff (country team) in each Latin American country • Represents U.S. government in formal inter-governmental exchanges • Administers development programs • Irons out travel problems • Works closely with the armed forces

8. Hierarchical nature of the State Department and complex character of its representational functions have created major problems for presidents who expected quick responses to executive initiatives

9. Presidential Advisory System: The National Security Council I • National Security Council – 1947 • Statutory Members • President • Vice President • Secretaries of State and Defense • Advisors • Director – CIA • Chairman of JCS

10. Presidential Advisory System: National Security Council II • National Security Assistant – runs NSC • NSC contains a team of regional/functional specialists • Focused on the White House • Disputes often arise between NSC and the Department of State over the conduct of foreign policy

11. Presidential Advisory System: The CIA • Formed in 1947 from the OSS and Latin American Bureau of FBI • Intelligence gathering • Covert action

12. Presidential Advisory System: Use of the CIA • Carter and Clinton placed controls on CIA • Concern with human rights violations • Opposition and consternation within professional intelligence community • Restraints loosened in wake of 9-11

13. Role of Congress • Imperial presidency gives way to increased congressional involvement • Battle over aid to the Contras • Democratic congress & Republican President • Personalities • Iran – Contra complicates the struggle • Determined and skillful president almost unstoppable

14. Military Missions • Training and influence • Combat insurgencies after 1969 • El Salvador and Central America in the 1980’s • Southern Command relocated to Tampa • School of the America’s Controversy • Contemporary emphasis on Colombia

15. Southern Command • Coordinated all U.S. military activities in the Caribbean Basin and South America • Defense of the canal • Traditional center for Control of MILGROUPS • Relocated to Tampa, Fl. upon return of the canal to Panama • School of the Americas • Controversy over how it accomplished its mission while at Fort Gulick • Relocation to Fort Benning and reorganization

16. Other Governmental Participants in Latin American Policy Making • AID and the Peace Corps • Overseas Private Investment Corporation and Export-Import Bank • Information and Cultural Exchanges • Drug Enforcement Agency

17. MOST OF OFFICIAL WASHINGTON VIEWS LATIN AMERICA AS A REGIONAL INTERNATIONAL ARENA OF SECONDARY IMPORTANCE