Latin America Bureau explores relations between the US and Central and South America

Latin America Bureau (LAB) has produced a special issue of its newsletter focused on relations between Latin America and the United States.

It begins with an overview of Barack Obama's policy in Latin America, written by author Grace Livingstone. She argues that Obama has allowed right-wing Republicans and the Pentagon to dominate his agenda and highlights the tragic consequences of this strategy in Colombia. Far from learning the lessons of Plan Colombia , she argues, Obama has embarked on the same militarized strategy in Mexico. Read more.

Grace also interviewed Adam Isacson, senior associate for regional security policy for the Washington Office of Latin America. Isacson, whose blog is a ‘must-see' for anyone interested in US policy in Latin America talking about:

• Obama's policy in Latin
  America and outlook for policy in the region after the
  US
  presidential elections. Text and podcast.
• His fears of a bloodbath in
  Colombia.
  Text and podcast.
• Obama's failure in
  Honduras.
  Text and podcast.
• Obama's policy in
  Cuba and
  Mexico. Podcast.
• The Pentagon's plans to build
  military bases throughout Central America.
  Podcast.

His map of bases being constructed by the US
in Central America and the Caribbean
can be found here.