US-Mexico Efforts to Deal with Domestic and International Crises

Jorge I. Dominguez holds a PhD in political science from Harvard University. He has authored and published several books and research papers on Latin American politics and economics. One of Jorge I. Dominguez’ publications is a research paper on US-Mexican relations and efforts to cope with domestic and international crises.

The US-Mexico relationship is multifaceted and complex, shaped by various domestic and international factors. In recent years, both countries have been grappling with several crises that have significantly impacted their bilateral relationship. Drugs and immigration issues continue to be significant challenges for the US and Mexico.

Cartels operating in Mexico are fueling the problem by manufacturing and smuggling large quantities of drugs, particularly fentanyl and methamphetamine, into the US, causing a surge in overdose deaths. The US government is working to increase cooperation with Mexico to combat these cartels, but the breakdown in trust between the two countries’ law enforcement agencies is hindering progress.

Immigration is another significant issue affecting US-Mexican relations. The strict immigration policies of the US, such as building a border wall and enforcing “zero tolerance,” have made tensions rise between the two countries and damaged the relationship between citizens of both nations, with many Mexicans viewing the US with mistrust and hostility.

Despite the challenges, the US and Mexico have collaborated to find solutions. The two governments have joined forces to combat the opioid crisis by enhancing law enforcement cooperation and reducing drug demand. Additionally, they have been tackling the underlying issues that drive migration, such as poverty and violence in Central America, through economic development and aid initiatives.

Article Investigates Democratic Claims of Communist Regime Leaders

A former professor at Harvard University, Jorge I. Dominguez taught courses on international politics, focusing on Cuba and Latin America. Jorge Dominguez has also authored several articles on Latin American political science and democratic development, including The Democratic Claims of Communist Regime Leaders.

The publication zooms in on claims from Cuba’s political leaders that the country has maintained a substantial level of democratic procedures in its elections system. According to Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cuba implemented descriptive inclusion in the 2018 election to ensure demographic representation regarding gender and race to reflect the national population distribution. The article investigates the existence of demographic inclusion (gender and race) and disparities, the age gap of Cuban Council members, and the application of voter information in the selection and deselection of council members.

The article finds that the claims of democratic procedures and electoral fairness are not credible. Cuba’s popular election results have little impact on Council membership.

The Network of Global Leaders’ Inter-American Dialogue

An expert in Latin American political science, democratic development, and Cold War history, Jorge I. Dominguez is a writer, publisher, and former Harvard professor who served as an active member of many professional organizations during his career. From 1983 to 2018, Jorge I. Dominguez was a member of the Inter-American Dialogue, a nonprofit funded by the Network of Global Leaders program grants, and other sources.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Inter-American Dialogue has over 60 years of experience in creating methods to better integrate Latin American countries into world affairs. Its initiatives and programs pertain to global political and economic systems as well as social and cultural movements, alongside tracking its target area’s progress in adopting reforms in these subjects. Its 100 members comprise leading experts with global representation, more than half from Latin American countries, in fields including but not limited to politics, academia, and media. The group’s area of focus encompasses over 35 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Internet Increasingly Drives Cuba’s Informal Economy

Dr. Jorge I. Dominguez is a US academic who taught international relations as a Harvard University professor for many years. Born in Havana and the author of several books on the subject of Cuba, Dr. Jorge I. Dominguez has a particular expertise in the area of market reforms in what is still a state-run economy.

A November 2022 Associated Press article brought attention to the growing role of the Internet in bolstering Cuba’s informal economy, which is often used to procure scarce and expensive items. An example is a Telegram group chat that reaches 170,000 people and enables the sale of everything from medicine to cleaning products.

For many years the Internet remained challenging to access in Cuba, and the black market existed largely among neighbors locally. However, in recent years the use of messaging and e-commerce sites has exploded. Revolico and other sites that mimic Craigslist offer items that range from sought-after “capitalist” apartments in Havana to electric bicycles.

In addition, high traffic WhatsApp groups allow discussions on topics such as the current informal exchange rate, which help consumers make educated financial decisions. This has to do with a situation in which many lower priced items sell in pesos, while higher ticket items are priced in dollars and require cash or international bank transfers. One unresolved issue involves “revendedores,” or people who purchase items abroad and resell them in Cuba for a profit. In October, President Miguel Diaz-Canel branded such entrepreneurs as criminals who “break the concepts of socialism,” and whether they will be allowed to flourish in the long term remains to be seen.