GAO Reviews of U.S. Programs and Activities in Central America
T-NSIAD-89-14: Published: Mar 9, 1989. Publicly Released: Mar 9, 1989.
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GAO reviewed U.S. activities in Central America to determine their impact on U.S. policy objectives of regional security, promotion of democracy, economic stabilization, and development. GAO found that: (1) U.S. programs have made progress toward each objective, but they have not accomplished as much as expected, and some have had unintended negative effects; (2) U.S. aid prevented the collapse of the Salvadoran government, but Salvadoran insurgency has not ended; (3) despite U.S. pressure, the Nicaraguan government and certain individuals in the Panamanian government remain in power, and both countries' ties with Cuba and Warsaw Pact nations have increased; (4) U.S. economic support and development assistance helped maintain the democracies in Costa Rica and Belize and facilitated democratic trends in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, but democratization efforts failed in Nicaragua and Panama; (5) large levels of U.S. assistance improved economic situations in Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, but economic sanctions harmed the economies of Panama and Nicaragua; and (6) several factors hindered development progress, including continued armed conflicts, limited host government capabilities, trade and investment barriers, and administrative requirements of U.S. foreign aid programs. GAO believes that the United States should emphasize support for Central American peace efforts, while maintaining support for democracy, human rights, and political and economic reforms, rather than supporting military solutions to the region's conflicts.
Feb 8, 2021
Venezuela:
Additional Tracking Could Aid Treasury's Efforts to Mitigate Any Adverse Impacts U.S. Sanctions Might Have on Humanitarian AssistanceGAO-21-239: Published: Feb 4, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 8, 2021.
Jan 28, 2021
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Cyber Diplomacy:
State Should Use Data and Evidence to Justify Its Proposal for a New Bureau of Cyberspace Security and Emerging TechnologiesGAO-21-266R: Published: Jan 28, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 28, 2021.
Jan 27, 2021
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Afghanistan Reconstruction:
GAO Work since 2002 Shows Systemic Internal Control Weaknesses that Increased the Risk of Waste, Fraud, and AbuseGAO-21-32R: Published: Jan 27, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 27, 2021.
Dec 9, 2020
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International Trade:
Observations On Whether Women's Rights and Economic Interests Are Protected or Promoted by U.S. Trade Preference ProgramsGAO-21-190: Published: Dec 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020.
Dec 2, 2020
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Foreign Assistance:
USAID Should Analyze Data on the Timeliness of ExpendituresGAO-21-51: Published: Dec 2, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 2, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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Global Food Security:
Information on Spending and Types of Assistance Provided by the United States and Other DonorsGAO-21-47R: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Nov 9, 2020
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Human Trafficking:
Agencies Have Taken Steps to Strengthen International Anti-trafficking ProjectsGAO-21-53: Published: Nov 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020. -
Rule of Law Assistance:
State and USAID Could Improve Monitoring EffortsGAO-21-14: Published: Nov 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020.
Oct 27, 2020
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Forced Labor Imports:
DHS Increased Resources and Enforcement Efforts, but Needs to Improve Workforce Planning and MonitoringGAO-21-106: Published: Oct 27, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 27, 2020.
Oct 2, 2020
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Combating Wildlife Trafficking:
Agencies Work to Address Human Rights Abuse Allegations in Overseas Conservation ProgramsGAO-21-139R: Published: Oct 2, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 2, 2020.
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