In an Americas Quarterly web exclusive, former Argentine Vice Defense Minister Jaime Garetta urges the U.S. President-elect to cooperate on sustaining democratic development in Latin America. "Achieving sustainable development with social inclusion is one of the greatest ambitions in Latin America today,” he writes.

Toronto Star columnist James Travers says the President-elect should reinvigorate ties with Ottawa, and that "Canada can make life easier for the next U.S. President by advancing an agenda serving mutual interests."

Carlos Basombrio—a sociologist at the Instituto de Defensa Legal in Lima, Peru, and a former vice minister—urges the next U.S. administration to reevaluate the country's anti-drug policy in the Americas.

Scotiabank President and CEO Rick Waugh recommends that the next U.S. president pursue "an approach that incorporates the private sector and that builds on the successful macroeconomic and financial sector reforms that have been made in many markets."

In the latest Americas Quarterly: Memos to the President-Elect, President Michelle Bachelet of Chile says "The world is ripe for a renewed and strengthened multilateralism, and the support of the U.S. will be decisive."

The next U.S. administration should focus on NAFTA and taking a leadership role in promoting the rule of law, says Grupo Nacional Provincial CEO Alejandro Bailléres.

I hesitate to write to the new U.S. administration about Latin America because I know that natural realities mean that Latin America will not be a priority for any administration despite the high-minded talk from the candidates. Read the full article in the Fall 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly.