Chairman Duncan on the hearing: “This year, we have seen many changes in the Western Hemisphere. Economic and security factors, migration, and deepening ties with non-hemispheric foreign actors, such as Iran, China, and Russia, have impacted many countries in our region. Elections this year in multiple countries have shifted governments and political power, the Organization of American States has a new Secretary-General committed to reforming and revitalizing the organization, Panama hosted the Seventh Summit of the Americas with the inclusion of Cuba for the first time, and the U.S. began its two-year Chairmanship of the Arctic Council. Yet even with all these changes, the Obama Administration continues to neglect or at the very least not display the leadership and vision to advance U.S. and regional interests in a manner that unifies the democratic and free nations of the region or that furthers regional harmony, security, and economic prosperity. This hearing will examine the Administration’s policies toward the region to determine their impact and assess the progress of countries in the region in furthering democracy and freedom, strengthening rule of law and judicial institutions, growing shared economic prosperity, and providing a safer and more secure region.”

Witnesses

The Honorable Roger Noriega
Visiting Fellow
American Enterprise Institute
(Former Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State)
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

The Honorable Mary Beth Long
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Metis Solutions
(Former Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense)
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Cynthia J. Arnson, Ph.D.
Director
Latin American Program
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]
____________________________

Hearing transcript (PDF)