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 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. |
 | Vice President Joe Biden and Latin American leaders stand for a group photo after a multilateral meeting at Casa Presidencial in Costa Rica, in March. -More |
 | Secretary Clinton and Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Patricia Espinosa participated in a joint press conference during the Secretary's March trip to Mexico. -Secretary's Trip Page -Photo Gallery |
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens of the health risks of travel to Mexico at this time due to an outbreak of 2009-H1N1 influenza. On April 27, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a notice recommending that American citizens avoid all nonessential travel to Mexico. Although conditions in Mexico appear to be improving, that notice remains in effect.
-Travel Alert (May 8) -Travel Health Warning -CDC Flu Page
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