Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs is headed by Assistant Secretary of State Thomas A. Shannon, Jr., who is responsible for managing and promoting U.S. interests in the region by supporting democracy, trade, and sustainable economic development, and fostering cooperation on issues such as drug trafficking and crime, poverty reduction, and environmental protection.
Mission: We are working with our partners in the Americas to generate broad-based growth through freer trade and sound economic policies; to invest in the well-being of people from all walks of life; and to make democracy serve every citizen more effectively and justly.
Objectives: We are strengthening an Inter-American community formed by:
- Economic partners that are democratic, stable, and prosperous;
- Friendly neighbors that help secure our region against terrorism and illegal drugs;
Nations that work together in the world to advance shared political and economic values.
Sign up for Western Hemisphere email updates | Secretary Clinton traveled to El Salvador and Honduras from May 31 to June 2. She moderated a roundtable discussion with Salvadoran Foreign Minister Argueta for over 40 women. The forum provided an opportunity to discuss women's essential role in recovering from the economic crisis and methods to combat the scourge of poverty and insecurity in the region. |
 | Secretary Clinton gave remarks at the 39th Washington Conference of the Council of Americas. -Pathways to Prosperity website -Deputy Secretary Steinberg's Remarks -Assistant Secretary Shannon's Remarks |
 | Secretary Clinton conducted a digital Town Hall, in the Dominican Republic on the eve of the Summit of the Americas. -Secretary's Trip Page -Photo Galleries: Haiti | Dominican Republic |
 | President Obama attended the 2009 Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago. |
Spokesman Kelly (July 8): " We’re very encouraged by the fact that President Arias of Costa Rica has agreed to act as a mediator. We were glad to play a role in that. This decision emerged from discussions that we’ve had with a number of partners in the OAS, and we think it’s appropriate, of course, for President Arias to serve in this role." Full Text
Full Restoration of Democratic Order in Honduras
Secretary Clinton (July 7): "The United States has been working with our partners in the OAS to fashion a strong consensus condemning the detention and expulsion of President Zelaya and calling for the full restoration of democratic order in Honduras. Our immediate priority is to restore full democratic and constitutional order in that country. Today, foreign ministers of the Rio Group will be attending a previously scheduled meeting of Central American leaders in Managua, Nicaragua to address the issue of Honduras. And tomorrow, the OAS will hold an Extraordinary General Assembly." -Full Text -Video
U.S. and Venezuela Agree to Resume Full Diplomatic Representation
Through an exchange of diplomatic notes, the U.S. and Venezuela have agreed to rescind the declarations of persona non grata issued in September 2008 and return the U.S. Ambassador and Venezuelan Ambassador to their respective posts in Caracas and Washington. -Press Statement
Secretary Clinton Meets With Ecuadorian Foreign Minister
Secretary Clinton: "Well, it is indeed a treat to welcome the Foreign Minister of Ecuador. ... We had an excellent meeting with him and President Correa when we were at the Summit of the Americas. We are looking for ways to create a more constructive and productive relationship." -Full Text -Video
The Future of Inter-American Relations
Assistant Secretary Shannon: "[W]e actually need to look beyond the future of inter-American relations and understand how the inter-American relations facilitate the relationship between the Americas and the rest of the world. -Full Text -Remarks at the Inter-American Conference of Mayors
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
Learn more about the final phase of this initiative, which went into effect June 1, 2009. -Briefing -More
Visit travel.state.gov for country specific travel information and travel announcements. -Hurricane Season Travel Alert
The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.