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R47721 — U.S. Foreign Assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean: FY2024 Appropriations

Reports · published 2024-08-06 · v11 · Active · crsreports.congress.gov ↗

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Authors
Peter J. Meyer
Report id
R47721
Summary

The United States provides foreign assistance to Latin American and Caribbean countries to support development and other U.S. objectives. U.S. policymakers have emphasized different strategic interests in the region at different times, from combating Soviet influence during the Cold War to promoting democracy and open markets, as well as countering illicit narcotics, since the 1990s. Over the past decade, top U.S. funding priorities for foreign assistance in the region have included addressing the underlying drivers of migration from Central America, combating drug production and supporting peace accord implementation in Colombia, and strengthening security and the rule of law in Mexico. U.S. agencies also have prioritized programs intended to combat HIV/AIDS and foster stability in Haiti, address security concerns in the Caribbean, and respond to the political and humanitarian crises in Venezuela and their impact on the broader region. FY2024 Budget Request The Biden Administration requested nearly $2.5 billion in foreign assistance for Latin America and the Caribbean in FY2024 under accounts managed by the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). That sum was $427.3 million (20.9%) more than the estimated amount allocated to the region in FY2023. The Administration’s FY2024 budget request also included $52.0 million for the Inter-American Foundation (IAF)—an independent U.S. government agency that supports grassroots development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Administration’s FY2024 budget proposal for the region continued to prioritize efforts to stem irregular migration. The Administration requested at least $945.8 million to continue implementation of the U.S. Strategy for Addressing the Root Causes of Migration in Central America—$275.0 million (41.0%) more than the estimated FY2023 allocation for Central America. The Administration also requested $51.4 million for a new Americas Partnership Opportunity Fund intended to support migration management throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. In October 2023, the Administration requested an additional $1.25 billion of emergency supplemental foreign assistance to respond to irregular migration in the region. Among other regional priorities for FY2024, the Administration requested $444.0 million for Colombia to support counternarcotics efforts, peace accord implementation, and the integration of Venezuelan migrants; $291.5 million for Haiti to restore democratic institutions, improve security, and address health and economic challenges; $111.4 million for Mexico to strengthen the rule of law and combat illicit drugs; and $64.5 million for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI). Legislative Developments Congress concluded action on regular FY2024 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) appropriations on March 23, 2024, when President Biden signed into law the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (P.L. 118-47), with SFOPS appropriations legislation included as Division F. The House passed its SFOPS bill (H.R. 4665/H.Rept. 118-146) in September 2023, and the Senate Appropriations Committee reported its SFOPS bill (S. 2438/S.Rept. 118-71) in July 2023, but neither was enacted. Instead, Congress passed a series of continuing resolutions (P.L. 118-15, P.L. 118-22, P.L. 118-35, and P.L. 118-40) that funded most foreign aid programs in the region at FY2023 levels from October 1, 2023, until the March 2024 enactment of P.L. 118-47. On April 24, 2024, the President signed into law a supplemental appropriations measure (P.L. 118-50) that included additional SFOPS funding for FY2024 but did not designate any assistance specifically for Latin America and the Caribbean. P.L. 118-47 and its accompanying explanatory statement include some funding directives and reporting requirements related to Latin America and the Caribbean but do not specify comprehensive appropriations totals for most countries or for the region as a whole. Those allocation decisions are left to the Administration, subject to overall enacted appropriations levels and consultation with Congress. The act directs the Administration to prioritize programs that address violence, poverty, corruption, and other factors that contribute to irregular migration; counter fentanyl and other narcotics trafficking; protect Indigenous rights and support civil society and independent institutions; and advance democracy and human rights. During the remainder of the 118th Congress, Members may track the Administration’s implementation of P.L. 118-47 and review the reports mandated by the act as they engage in oversight and consider FY2025 appropriations and other legislation to help guide U.S. foreign assistance policy in the region.

Bills cited (4)

Curated by CRS — every bill listed in this report's relatedMaterials. Edge type cited_in_report, gold confidence.

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