1. Regional and Global Issues
Latin America
Regional and Global Issues

2. Environmental Issues
Economic growth occurs at the expense of the environment.
Countries worried about feeding their increasing populations and paying foreign debts are not concerned with their impact on the environment.

3. Debt Crisis
Developing countries borrow money to help develop and modernize
Many countries default (stop paying back) on their loans which hurts the lending bank.

4. Human Rights
Human rights abuses often occur because the government in charge, usually run by the military, wants to keep opposition to their regime to a minimum.

5. Drug Trade
Cocaine, heroin and marijuana are the most common produced drugs in Latin America
High demand in the U.S. & Europe, coupled with poverty in Latin America fuel the drug trade
The U.S. has offered economic aid to help combat the drug trade.

6. Regional Cooperation
Many countries have joined together to create regional common markets.
Common markets promote trade among the countries involved, and hopefully benefit their economies.
Ex. OAS

7. Free Trade Trade without restrictions or tariffs
Increase regional trade to have a positive impact on respective economies
Ex. NAFTA, LAFTA