Washington will toughen Central America policy

Subject

US policy towards Central America.

Significance

Central America has been a relatively significant part of the Obama administration's engagement with Latin America, due to migration, drug trafficking and gang violence. It brings to the fore issues that are important in the current US presidential campaign, and there are signs that whoever is elected will take a tougher approach to the isthmus.

Impacts

• Mexico will come under continued pressure to secure its southern border.
• Trump's pledged crackdown on illegal immigration would in practice target Central Americans more than Mexicans.
• A worsening in human rights abuses is possible across the Northern Triangle countries over the medium term.