Building Alternative-Energy Partnerships with Latin America

The world faces a significant energy problem with global demand rising and reserves declining. As both the largest consumer of energy and a major promoter of global economic stability, the United States is obviously affected by these developments. Beyond their direct economic consequences, high energy prices and potential shortages provide a pretext for unstable regimes to develop nuclear power (and potentially weapons), foster terrorism, impede global economic growth, and endanger stability. Concurrently, the U.S. faces a range of strategic challenges in Latin America including poor economic environments which promote problems including illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and instability. This project examines a concept to help mitigate both challenges - strengthening partnerships between the U.S. and its Latin American neighbors so they can become viable sources of alternative energy. This initiative would simultaneously help mitigate both America's energy concerns and improve relations with our Latin American neighbors.