Crime and violence in the Northern Triangle is a regional issue that requires a collective response to the structural factors driving it: weak state capacity, corruption within police forces and the judiciary, and insufficient data. Deporting refugees back to the region doesn’t help.
Violence in Central America: Do no harm, Mr. Trump
By Kevin Casas-Zamora /
Economics, Trade & Development
The Guatemala-Honduras customs union: A paradigm shift in regionalism
By Javier Gutiérrez / jantgut /
The recent launch of a customs union between Guatemala and Honduras marks a paradigm shift in region-building in the Americas. It may offer key lessons to other Latin American countries seeking to leverage their existing interdependence.
In the Media
The Injustices of Zika
By Pía Riggirozzi /
Outbreaks of communicable diseases in the developing world are bad enough from a health perspective. But they also have serious implications for social justice, because they exacerbate longstanding human-rights crises, including by undermining already-weak public-services provision and deepening existing inequalities.
Economics, Trade & Development
Universal Basic Income: An alternative path to development?
By Javier Gutiérrez / jantgut /
Providing a fixed, unconditional income to the poor seems a radical idea. But it’s gaining traction. Could it work in Central America?
Economics, Trade & Development
Ending the middle-income trap through policy design
By Javier Gutiérrez / jantgut /
If Central America wants to get out of the middle-income trap it would do well to follow Uruguay’s lead and develop a focused, comprehensive industrial policy that builds on the region’s trade advantages.
Just the Facts
How President Trump’s threat to torpedo U.S. climate policies puts Latin America at risk
By Guy Edwards / GuyEdwards /
If President Trump abandons the global fight against climate change, it could leave Latin America more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and governments politically exposed.
Economics, Trade & Development
Trade in services: Central America’s big opportunity?
By Javier Gutiérrez / jantgut /
While global trade in services is booming, most Latin American countries continue to export basic goods. Here’s what Panama and Costa Rica did to catch up. Other countries should follow.
Just the Facts
Secretary-of-State-designate Rex Tillerson’s confirmation answers on Latin America policy
Here is the text of the written answers on U.S. policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean Rex Tillerson submitted to the Senate for his confirmation hearing. The answers cover Mexico, the Colombia peace process, the opening to Cuba and human rights, and political prisoners in Venezuela, among other topics.
Economics, Trade & Development
Unlocking trade opportunities: Asia and Central America’s strategic partnership
By Javier Gutiérrez / jantgut /
The likely death of TPP may be a boon to Central America as firms in the Asian TPP economies seek better access to the U.S. market through CAFTA-DR.
Economics, Trade & Development
Competitiveness in Central America: Leveraging regional integration to boost productivity
By Javier Gutiérrez / jantgut /
Access to the U.S. market and proximity have led to the development of an array of regional value chains in Central American economies. But with the right policies more can be done. Here are some examples.
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