GPO

Explores the linkages the U.S. shares with Latin America and the Caribbean- important geographic, cultural, economic, and geopolitical linkages, outlines some difficult underlying conditions faced by the region-led by poverty and unequal wealth distribution-and how they contribute to specific challenges such as crime, violence, and illicit trafficking of drugs, people, and weapons, and describes some innovative approaches and key initiatives the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) has underway to fulfill its mission more effectively.