The United States: Progress and Promise in Latin America

This year has brought many foreign policy challenges for the United States, particularly throughout Eurasia and the Middle East as conflicts in Syria and Ukraine drag on. But Washington has also seen numerous gains closer to home. The United States has normalized its ties with Cuba, Venezuela's anti-U.S. ruling party was defeated in parliamentary elections, and Latin American economies that are integrated with the United States generally performed better those that are not. As Washington seeks to advance its geopolitical position in the region even further in 2016, it will likely achieve some measure of success, though certain constraints will prevent it from being able to fully shape Latin America around its interests.