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In this article a connection is drawn between the United States' increasing use of bio-fuels, particularly corn ethanol, and increased cost to import and sell food products in poor nations. Among others, Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala are mentioned by name. According to the article, the amount of added burden from this is enough to undermine aid and relief efforts in these nations. It seems that poor crop yields, presumably due to climate change, are often pinned as being directly responsible for increasing food costs and shortages. Although environmental factors certainly play their part, it appears to be important for us to consider what other pressures may be mounting. Assuming this article is accurate, our domestic policies may have unintended not-so-domestic consequences. Countries who rely on imports for food products are typically doing so because they cannot produce enough on their own, and if they cannot afford the imports then a food-shortage results. The implications may even be further reaching than the author states. If I'm not mistaken, sugarcane is another crop which is often utilized as a bio-fuel source. If that is the case, then one may be compelled to consider the great number of products which include corn and sugarcane and what that may mean for already struggling populations. Reducing the reliance on fossil fuels is an important undertaking, but is relying on food for fuel the proper route?

Here's another article regarding current drug policy in Latin America. In this article the author explains why this joint declaration (no pun intended) is particularly unique since it triggers an actual evaluative process within the UN.

In reading this article, it is clearly stated that the U.S.'s war on drugs was of little benefit to the whole of Latin America. It seems that the joint declaration is a last effort to relieve some of the violence and upset occuring from drug wars. Interestingly, I feel this evaluative process could be what is necessary to relieve some of the surrounding tensions. The U.S. and Latin American need to find a common goal from which to work, in order to improve the struggles are ongoing.