No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveU.S. regional strategy discussed

U.S. regional strategy discussed

By Mariano Andrade | AFP

NEW YORK – Energy, education and freedom of expression in Latin America are “specific challenges” that U.S. President Barack Obama plans on addressing during his second term in the White House, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson said on Tuesday.

In a presentation to the New York-based Council of the Americas, Jacobson declined to address the future of Venezuela, although she expressed hope for a quick recovery of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez, who flew to Cuba this week for emergency cancer treatment.

“Looking forward, I would like to mention some specific challenges that we face in three areas of our policy of partnership and shared responsibility that are the basis of President Obama’s policy in the Western Hemisphere: energy, education and freedom of expression,” the U.S. official said.

Jacobson noted that while 20 or 30 years ago, some of the current Latin American leaders fought for freedom of expression against military dictatorships, now “some populist leaders are closing or censoring independent media, tribunals and other essential elements of democracy,” although she did not mention specific countries.

Last October, the Inter-American Press Association issued strong messages to the governments of Argentina, Venezuela and Ecuador, urging them to halt activities that prohibit the freedom of expression, such as new press and judicial laws against journalists.

In terms of energy, Jacobson said “an extraordinary opportunity” exists, as Latin America increasingly is a strategic global supplier of energy resources from the region.

On education, the State Department official said there is some concern in academic and business circles, because “Latin America has few or no educational institutions among the top global rankings on education.”

“We can expand solid economic performance in recent decades if we devote sustained energy to developing education,” she said, adding that the region has never before been as “prosperous and peaceful” as it is today.

During the presentation, Jacobson responded to questions about the situation of specific countries in the region, including the failing health of Venezuela’s leader.

“I can’t predict the future, and I can’t comment as to what will happen in Venezuela,” she said. “But what I can say is that we always have publicly stated that we wish the president a speedy recovery.”

“We have tried and we are going to continue trying to have productive relations with Venezuela,” she added, admitting that, “sometimes it has been very difficult.”

Cuba also was mentioned, and Jacobson insisted that the Obama administration constantly “measures” the effect of a long-term economic embargo against the island nation, so that the Cuban people are effected as minimally as possible while they strive for democratic change.

“What the president [Obama] decides in terms of certain parts of the embargo is something that is constantly measured and designed to encourage democratic change in Cuba,” she said.

Jacobson also noted the “growing concern” by business leaders from the U.S. and elsewhere who operate in Argentina over that country’s restrictions on capital and trade transactions.

Trending Now

Costa Rica President Confronts Calls to Strip Immunity

Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves denounced today an “attempted judicial coup” as he appeared before a congressional committee that must recommend to the full...

Costa Rica Anglers Catch Rare Orange and Albino Nurse Shark

Anglers on a fishing trip off Costa Rica's Caribbean coast caught a nurse shark unlike any seen before: bright orange skin and stark white...

FBI Recordings Reveal Costa Rica Ex-Minister Celso Gamboa’s Drug Ties

Costa Rican authorities continue to hold former security minister Celso Gamboa in custody as U.S. officials push for his extradition on drug charges. Recent...

Costa Rica Drivers Face Yearlong Delays as Tárcoles Bridge Undergoes Repairs

Those who frequently use the South Coast Highway, near the Tárcoles river, will have to be more patient.  Repair works have started on the...

An Expat’s Life with a Rescue Dog in Costa Rica

For the past 15 months I have been the primary caretaker of a bona fide street dog, a barrio zaguate called Dorothy. My wife...

President Chaves Downplays Costa Rica’s Security Crisis Amid Record Homicides

President Rodrigo Chaves brushed off concerns about Costa Rica's surging violence during his Wednesday press conference, insisting the security situation "is not as serious"...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica