Leaders of the Americas

Addressing AS/COA members on October 22, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs R. Nicholas Burns discussed White House policy toward Latin America, particularly Bogotá. "The U.S. finds itself at a crucial crossroads in our relations with Colombia," said Burns, emphasizing the need for trade deals with that country, Peru, and Panama. 

AS/COA hosted an October 11 luncheon discussion with Brazilian governors Wilma M. de Faria, Cássio Cunha Lima, and Roberto Requião to talk about opportunities in the areas of biofuels, tourism, infrastructure, environmental policies, and social development.

Robert Gates made his first trip to Latin America as U.S. defense secretary, beginning his five-country tour in El Salvador. The secretary's itinerary included stops in Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Suriname to focus on Washington's security ties in the region. A recent editorial co-authored by COA's Eric Farnsworth examines trade policy as a way to boost U.S.-Latin American relations.

The senator and presidential candidate addressed prominent business and public sector leaders at an AS/COA luncheon held in New York (en español).

COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth provided testimony to U.S. Congress, outlining areas to boost relations between the United States. He emphasized the importance of opening foreign markets, sustaining a commitment to democracy, building relations with Brazil, and promoting sustainable development.

In testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth calls on Congress to pass the pending bilateral trade agreement and re-authorize Plan Colombia. “The time to act is now” to support one of the strongest U.S. allies in the region.

Just days before President Bush departed for a five-country tour of Latin America, COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth outlined key areas of cooperation at a hearing before the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.