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Latin American Program in the News: Obama, Central American presidents face a difficult agenda

Cindy Arnson

Director Cynthia J. Arnson discusses the challenges that face multilateral attempts at greater integration between the United States and Central America, citing corruption, inept institutions and weak democracies as major concerns. This also appeared in The Sacramento Bee, Chicago Tribune, Technology News, TMC News, Aberdeen News and in many other media outlets.

But greater cooperation — between the U.S. and Central America and among the Central American nations — is complicated. Many countries have weak democracies, corrupt or inept institutions and security forces tainted by poor human rights records. There is little trust to go around.

“There’s really much more that needs to take place dynamically within the region, but there are … some countries where it’s just really hard to find institutional partners,” said Cynthia Arnson, director of the Latin American program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. “If the idea is to integrate … and get greater cooperation, but you don’t have a viable national partner, I mean, you know, what can you do?”

Honduras is especially crippled. Its police chief has been implicated in illegal killings and kidnappings of alleged criminals. Many of the country’s senior officials supported a military coup that ousted the elected president in 2009. Political violence since then has claimed the lives of scores of activists, peasant leaders, journalists and citizens.

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About the Author

Cindy Arnson

Cynthia J. Arnson

Distinguished Fellow, Latin America Program
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Latin America Program

The Wilson Center’s prestigious Latin America Program provides non-partisan expertise to a broad community of decision makers in the United States and Latin America on critical policy issues facing the Hemisphere. The Program provides insightful and actionable research for policymakers, private sector leaders, journalists, and public intellectuals in the United States and Latin America. To bridge the gap between scholarship and policy action, it fosters new inquiry, sponsors high-level public and private meetings among multiple stakeholders, and explores policy options to improve outcomes for citizens throughout the Americas. Drawing on the Wilson Center’s strength as the nation’s key non-partisan policy forum, the Program serves as a trusted source of analysis and a vital point of contact between the worlds of scholarship and action.  Read more

Latin America Program

The Wilson Center’s prestigious Latin America Program provides non-partisan expertise to a broad community of decision makers in the United States and Latin America on critical policy issues facing the Hemisphere. The Program provides insightful and actionable research for policymakers, private sector leaders, journalists, and public intellectuals in the United States and Latin America. To bridge the gap between scholarship and policy action, it fosters new inquiry, sponsors high-level public and private meetings among multiple stakeholders, and explores policy options to improve outcomes for citizens throughout the Americas. Drawing on the Wilson Center’s strength as the nation’s key non-partisan policy forum, the Program serves as a trusted source of analysis and a vital point of contact between the worlds of scholarship and action.  Read more