In the end, elections in the hemisphere will produce governments with which the US will share more in common than not. The trick will be to remain engaged with those governments as they tackle the difficult problems of addressing structural poverty, exclusion, and inequality with respect for democratic institutions and rights.

Speaking at the 35th Washington Conference on the Americas, Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, discusses the connection between security and economic growth. Rumsfeld explains the steps that have been taken throughout the Americas to combat criminal activities that weaken security and accordingly weaken the economy.

Speaking at the 2005 Washington Conference on the Americas, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs Randal K. Quarles discussed the vast economic growth taking place in Latin America. Quarles also spoke of the effect of good economic policies in creating sustainable growth.

We cannot meet the looming challenge from Asia absent greater North American integration, or without more rapid Mexican development.

Ask many observers of Latin America and the Caribbean why the hemisphere is floundering, and they will say that the United States has neglected the region since September 11 and the war in Iraq, thus leading to a downward spiral. It is time to put such superficial analysis aside.