“You can have a million soldiers at the border, and you’ll be shocked how many people will still get into the United States. That’s why investing in our economy is better than concentrating exclusively on security. The more we develop Central America, the better it’ll be for the United States," says Guatemalan foreign minister.
According to Costa Rica's former trade minister, Alberto Trejos, Cuba, whose halting reforms have failed to energize the island’s stagnant, centralized economy, may have a thing or two to learn from Costa Rica – which over the last 30 years has made strides in slashing poverty, promoting trade and luring foreign direct investment.
Costa Rica has enjoyed a steady rise in the index during the last several years, jumping three spots this year, up from 54. The country scored especially well on metrics for health and education, technology readiness, and innovation potential.
The UCS report highlighted successes in reducing tropical deforestation in 17 countries in Central America and around the world, arguing that social and economic advancement does not necessarily mean accelerated loss of forest cover.
Jim Yong Kim noted that in the last 10 years, poverty has fallen by half, and that today only 12.3 percent of the region’s inhabitants live below the poverty line.
