¶ … U.S. State Department advisor charged with advising the President on Latin American policy, what are the major issues you would point to as critical for U.S. interests in the region? The major issues that I would point to as critical for U.S. interest in the region are the economy and human rights. Lets take time to explore these issues in detail and explain why they are critical.

The Economy

The economic plight in Latin America is a complex situation. Even though Latin America's major economies increased annually at an average rate of 3.8% between 1900 and 1987, this rate of growth is actually 30% more rapid than the industrial countries and is 20% faster than the United States. But the problem in Latin America is heavily influenced by the rapid growth of its population because despite all of the economic growth the per capita income growth was only 1.7%, which is lower than that of industrialized nations. (Latin America in the 21st Century)

For the last four years Argentina's economy, the third largest in Latin America, has been in recession and there is no sign of recovering. The real GDP estimate for Argentina year ending 2002 is -8.5 and the consumer price index (inflation) year ending 2002 is 40%. (Latin Watch) In recent months the economic situation in Argentina has been devastating to the region. On April 22, 2002 the government in Argentina ordered all of the banks closed in an attempt to thwart off a complete disintegration of the Country's financial system. This bank closure was a way to ensure that the country will get the economic aid that it needs from the International Monetary Fund. (Argentine Economy Brought to Standstill) A day later the economy minister Jorge Remes Lenicov resigned.

The Venezuelan economy is also under great distress. The real GDP year ending 2002 is -3.5 and the consumer price index is 32.3%. (Latin Watch) The economic situation in this part of Latin America has to do with the resignation and return to power...

As is true throughout Latin America the gap between the rich and poor is great. Estimates state that 70% of Venezuelans live in poverty. One of the major problems that face the Venezuelan Economy is lack of diversification. The dominant force in this economy is oil 80% of the total exports in Venezuela come from oil. When oil prices are high the country's economy is stable when they are low the economy becomes stagnated.(Uncertainty in Venezuela) Diversification would bring about balance, all their eggs wouldn't be in one basket.
The economic conditions in Latin America are critical to U.S. interest in the region because the U.S. has provided billions of dollars, this includes military aid, to Latin America over the past ten years. Much of this has been provided because of the instability of the economies in that region. Ensuring that these economies gain some stability would benefit not only the U.S. economy but also the World economy.

Human Rights

One of the major human rights issues in the region is Street Children. These children in Latin America are extremely poor and do not have access to schooling and other resources that would be of benefit to them. They survive on the streets by begging, prostitution and abusing drugs. The areas where these children reside make them susceptible to poverty, sexual abuse and disease.

The economic problems that were detailed earlier contribute greatly to the amount of street children that live in Latin America. When the unemployment rate increases the number of street children also increase. This is because economic conditions force children who may be in school to drop out and seek employment to help support their families. Unfortunately the types of employment that they fall victim to often include prostitution and drug trafficking. In addition, the alternative types of employment that some of these children are exposed to involve forced child labor.

These children are forced to work…