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.

Now is a time when judicious leadership and cooperation from all corners of the hemisphere will pay rich dividends, while a failure of leadership could cause further drift leading to increasing suspicion and divide. Ultimately, history will judge the result.

Speaking at the 33rd Washington Conference of the Council of the Americas, Horst Kohler, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, discussed how to maintain economic stability in Latin America. Kohler stated the importance of increased trade and introduced an agenda to encourage economic growth.

Speaking at the 2002 Washington Conference on the Americas, First Deputy Managing Director at International Monetary Fund, Anne Krueger, discuses the economic future of the Americas. Krueger addresses the economic "slow down" in the Americas and elaborates on the crisis in Argentina.

Speaking at the 2000 Washington Conference on the Americas, President Bill Clinton discusses the importance of open trade within the Americas and the benefits of continuing forward to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas by 2005. Clinton also focuses on Columbia's increasing drug industry issue and stresses the importance of the United States helping the Colombian government.