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:
- Economic partners that are democratic, stable, and prosperous;
- Friendly neighbors that help secure our region against terrorism and illegal drugs;
Nations that work together in the world to advance shared political and economic values.
Sign up for Western Hemisphere email updatesThe State Department alerts U.S. citizens of the health risks of travel to Mexico at this time due to an outbreak of H1N1 influenza. The U.S. Embassy and all U.S. Consulates in Mexico have suspended non-essential services to the public until May 6. Consular services for U.S. citizens is limited to emergency assistance and citizenship applications (passports and consular reports of birth abroad).
-Travel Alert (Apr. 30) -Embassy Message -Travel Health Alert -CDC Flu Page
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