| |  Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs is headed by Assistant Secretary of State Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., who is responsible for managing and promoting U.S. interests in the region by supporting democracy, trade, and sustainable economic development, and fostering cooperation on issues such as drug trafficking and crime, poverty reduction, and environmental protection.
Mission: We are working with our partners in the Americas to generate broad-based growth through freer trade and sound economic policies; to invest in the well-being of people from all walks of life; and to make democracy serve every citizen more effectively and justly.
Objectives: We are strengthening an Inter-American community formed by:
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Economic partners that are democratic, stable, and prosperous;
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Friendly neighbors that help secure our region against terrorism and illegal drugs;
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Nations that work together in the world to advance shared political and economic values.
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Travel to Mexico
 At the invitation of Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico October 22-23. While in Mexico, the Secretary discussed a broad range of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest, including U.S.-Mexico cooperation in combating criminal groups under the Merida Initiative and joint cooperation to improve North American competitiveness.
Secretary Rice: "We have indeed just signed an agreement that will improve our already close cooperation with Mexico on an issue that unfortunately greatly influences all. ...in doing so, we recognize the historically close cooperation across our shared border." Full Text | Travel page
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Pathways to Prosperity
On September 24, 2008, President Bush and leaders from 11 countries in the Western Hemisphere announced the launch of the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas initiative. Pathways will deepen existing partnerships and cooperation to ensure that the benefits of free trade and open investment are broadly shared throughout our societies.
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The Merida Initiative
 Assistant Secretary Shannon: "This was an initiative that really was constructed in a collaborative way, based off the President's trip to Latin America and Mexico in March of 2007. We were able to establish with our partners in Mexico and Central America a new form of engagement and dialogue that allowed us to fashion an assistance program which is much more than assistance program. It's really a program of cooperation and collaboration that has the security assistance component to it."
Full Text | Fact sheet
- A conversation between Assistant Secretary Shannon and Department Spokesman Sean McCormack on the Merida Initiative.
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| | | Highlights | U.S.-Brazil Promote Racial and Ethnic Equality
 U.S.-Brazil Joint Action Plan To Promote Racial and Ethnic Equality pledges deepening and ongoing collaboration between the two governments to eliminate racial and ethnic discrimination and promote equality of opportunity in both countries. The U.S.-Brazil Joint Action Plan recognizes that Brazil and the United States are multi-ethnic, multiracial democracies and that our shared experiences strengthen the ties of friendship between the two countries. Fact Sheet | Text of Plan
Paraguayan President Visits the White House
President Bush: "[T]he United States wants to help. We want to help with education and health care. We care deeply about people being able to work. ...We believe in the social justice agenda." Full Text
Visit Consular Affairs to keep up with Travel Warnings, travel-related Public Announcements, and other items of interest to travelers. Read DHS press release regarding the end of Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) temporary accommodation. |
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