Senator rubio has been a strong advocate for shared prosperity. Nd Economic Growth as a merit of the Senate ForeignRelations Committee he played an instrumental role in developing and influencing u. S. ,oreignpolicy across the world while remaining particularly vested in growth and filament in the western hemisphere. As chairman of the senate subcommittee, transnational crime, civilian security, democracy, human rights, and global womens issues, senator enhances common agendas that the United States has with the region. In cuba and venezuela. Senator rubios values are rooted in his family achievements from humble are meant that humble origins to his than this wasl against a cynic victory senate victory. These experiences have shaped the courageous leadership and steadfast determination to. Ackle deep challenges mr. Senator, we thank you for your leadership on issues of consequences for the United States of relations in the western hemisphere and your friendship to the council of americas. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome your senator. About a month ago something happened overnight and my eyesight started to deteriorate. Is that normal after you 45 mark i am honored to be here with you today. I think the council of americas for inviting me to speak. Its actually a great honor to be here and this Benjamin Franklin room which is a hallowed place. Its named after the father of International Diplomacy and a founding father. In particular, i want to thank the chairman of the council of the American Society and the president and ceo of the American Society and of course Erica Farnsworth which will be before our committee tomorrow, i hope you get a good night sleep, we will grill you hard. Its an honor to be a part of this conference. Its an exciting time in regards to the United States and the western hemisphere because it gives us an opportunity to rethink policy. In many ways, outside of normal conventions but let me begin by saying i think theres been since the end of the cold war a lack of focus on some of the highest levels of our government in hemisphere. Thats something that needs to be reversed quickly. In the end, our future, but economic insecurity, is deeply tied to our region and i say our region because we are a member of this region. Oftentimes we talk about the western hemisphere we think its happening somewhere else but we are a part of that. Where you live where i do in south florida, you are a part of it. Both economically, culturally, socially and politically. Its an opportunity to be with you today. I want to take an opportunity to share some of my thoughts gathered over five, six years in the Senate Spending a lot of time. Let me begin by saying im troubled by the us Foreign Policy in general. Us Foreign Policy for the western hemisphere is tactically driven rather than strategically government. This is especially true throughout the world but we spent a lot of time discussing tactics, sanctions or no sanctions. Diplomatic engagement or no engagement they are not furtherance of the strategy and youre wasting a lot of time. I do not pretend to have the allknowing strategy on how to pursue the western hemisphere but i do know that we have ideas that we intend to share with the new administration, with the people who work in this building and with my colleagues in the United States senate and with each of you here today. So while these are not necessarily universally accepted , concepts of the strategy, i do believe, they lay the groundwork for a way forward that i dont believe is either partisan, nor many cases should be controversial. Lets begin by constructing the three pillars of what i hope our engagement in the region will be built on. First, this National Security. The second is expanding Economic Prosperity. The third is defending our values. All three are equally important. They are not ordered in any particular way and they are all interrelated. It is actually possible to do any of the three without the other two. Lets begin by talking about how we keep america safe in the western hemisphere. In my view, we tackle illicit flows. Central america has the highest homicide rates in the world and citizens of the region has been fleeing in droves, often here to our country. Humans clean the island also at the pressures. The transit country in Central America and mexico, as well as the us border. These migrant flows as well as cartel networks in the region have created a thriving business for smugglers. In addition, strengthening Border Security and enforcing immigration laws, we need to ensure that we are partnering with the source country. This can be, ultimately exploited by transnational groups, by terrorists who are trying to bring in illicit items , not people but items come into United States. What would a strategy that tries to counter illicit flows look like. It begins by working with mexico and with guatemala. We need to tighten their own Border Security. Perhaps, by using our existing us canadian programs and having us Law Enforcement partner directly with our counterparts in mexico if they invite us to do so. Working with other willing partners in the region to enhance their Border Security to keep transit points as well. By using the department of defense train and equip authority. To help build capacity with our foreign partners in central and south america. By revitalizing the coast guard shipbuilding budget to ensure adequate coast guard cutter present in the caribbean. And in the eastern pacific. By providing us Southern Command with greater resources for partnership training. By convening regional discussions on how to dismantle the Human Smuggling Network and in fact, its my understanding that in june of this year the department of Homeland Security will host one gathering of Foreign Ministers from the northern triangle, as well as some other countries to discuss this and other issues of importance. By reassessing the alliance for prosperity which i support. Reassessing it to assure that its not replicating the mistakes he made in the past and other programs. The aide must be adequately conditioned and that controls are in place to prevent waste and corruption, thumping, by the way, the recipient countries asked for as well. The possible shift of cocaine processing from columbia to Central America as a result of the columbia, we should prioritize security funding from Lessons Learned and encouraging colombian and military training exercises with northern triangle countries. By focusing our systems on the region developing institutions keep security, including the court system. Public path to your offices, Police Forces and a special emphasis on mexico building unsuccessful. By helping to recycle region their anti Money Laundering and loss capabilities. Supporting anticorruption and incidences like honduras. The cia cig, which im not sure has an acronym but is a. [inaudible] it sounds good to me. By holding countries that are not cooperative like bolivia that are not living up to their International Drug control obligations accountable. We need to make clear that us assistance could be affected and they do not produce and implement a narcotics plan. Many external actors are in the process to gain a foothold in our hemisphere. International terrorist groups who have exploited criminal networks for purposes of raising money could use the networks one day to access u. S. Territory perpetration sadly is not immune to the rise of basis that security also means addressing outside actors. We are focused on Global Crisis through out the world. Many have attempted to gain a foothold in our own hemisphere. International terrorist groups who have exploited criminal networks for purposes of raising money could use the networks one day to access u. S. Territory perpetration sadly is not immune to the rise of basis or other militant groups from trinidad we are talking about. U. S. Adversaries including china iran russia have looked to exploit it antiamerican sentiment in the region. The Disturbing Trends are a number of things we should do first make it absolutely clear the United States does not expect other countries to trade solely with us but we will not allow the enemies to establish a foothold in the right a foothold in the region prodemocracy leaders who seek to deepen cooperation with the United States to make clear america will not leave a vacuum in the region for others to fill. By utilizing bilateral trade agreements to increase u. S. Economic engagement in the region and where possible to assist u. S. Companies to have the military sale in the region and increased the reporting of and on state actors in the region to deepen military relationships with key latin American Partners and those such as argentina to take that implants seriously. By working to build the capacity of the smaller states to face those challenges in this area and to prioritize and multilateral organizations such as the american states that is the first pillar of security but that alone is not enough. The second is expanding Economic Prosperity it is not a zero sum game. Greater Economic Opportunity for our neighbors not only the migrants second to the United States in a way it is illegal or irregular but to build the economies and in the absence the tpp to make clear to reporters that china and other actors are not. And then to forge those tune that prioritize of freemarket reform to tackle corruption to help those policies connect to ensure that the process does not send a message that the United States is close to. To prioritize and strengthening to not send a message that the United States close to business. The pillow limitation of nontariff barriers but to make clear modernization is designed to be beneficial. Accelerate the growth of a robust regional private sector. To show partners in the region there is not a need to join the infrastructure bank. This would find ways to incentivize Capital Markets and other measures in the production and distribution of arranged product and services. And in that vein, partnered with our caribbean neighbors to develop alternative sources of energy so they too can reduce their reliance on the regime. By making a common cause of generations of new leaders in countries like guatemala and argentina. The Brazilian Civil Society actors, by publicly speaking out of the cost of corruption, as well as to american exporters. Bringing together Business Leaders and anticorruption efforts to discuss the rule of and countries like mexico and peru. And by reinvigorating the and use financial tools to impose sanctions for individuals and national noncompliance. Spent ad, which i significant amount of time on is defending our values. That begins by standing up to of ors and the freedom for the freedom of democracy. I fear quite frankly too much time to placate house style governments to look the of the way. In the hopes of keeping out the soviet union. In the 21st century we too often looked the other way with the democracy and rule of law like venezuela in nicaragua. President ial leadership and that president ial messaging and leadership is needed for that president ial messaging and leadership is needed for that perception of the United States so i hope will n. H. She j. That we can feel that pressure to follow their own modest to that rule pressure the maduro government in venezuela to follow their own laws. To recognize National Assembly. There is no way the regime can get elected to anyone. All we ask is with the elections we follow. [applause] it is important to isolate countries that refuse to work a stretch of the to tackle these challenges and it is critical that from this building with the United States for policy in this we fight democracy in this region throughout the world that they are reflective of believe to be robustly engaged to rescue the Interamerican Charter and to make clear to the partners they are expected to speak out in brazil, colombia, peru, with the neighbors are violating their rights. It is critical to reassure our allies but for far too long meany to build on the deep ties of canada, mexico canada, mexico, colombia from brazil and peru and argentina and in particular canada can play a key role of prosperity and democracy in the region with partners with Great Potential to expand their impeachment within so that is wagging back to it with that expand their engagement when thin engagement within. I believe we need to develop new to discussning regional as well as global challenges. We need to engage frequently with partners on issues unrelated to the western hemisphere. By establishing new military to military engagements with brazil, peru, argentina, and expanding on our current engagements with honduras, el includingguatemala, expedited military sales. By expanding south, north, and Security Cooperation within the region. By reassuring the pop reassuring the colombian people that United States supports the implantation of a peaceful colombia that will become newbie on condition and compliance of an agreement. The crimes do not go unpunished in the victims are adequately compensated. Finally by reassessing u. S. Assistance programs in the region and ensuring our efforts are having the desired impact. And the factors such as corruption and not undermining our support. We must make clear those physical constraints that we face, the United States is continuing to support those partners and commit to dealing with security challenges that we spread that respect democratic norms. Thats a lot to digest. I know it reads a lot like a powerpoint. Almost became one. [laughter] but wanted to get on the richter get that on the record. The 1. I try to make my colleagues is more often than , a great gathering we were able to have. Region are nothe we are moreea linked than we believe. Obviously the media doesnt cover the western hemisphere as much as it once did. Rightfully so, these are issues of global importance. I think the extraordinary opportunity that exists in this perhaps its because i live in miami i have seen it firsthand. There is always the fear that someone you loved was next. Through much effort and american one of the most capable perhaps in the world. All of that is the result of u. S. Engagement. They lived up to that responsibility. It helped us to. And the containers that are run by americans in general from our airports and seaports, creating extraordinary economic opportunities. See in orlando with argentina and brazil and venezuela and colombia. You also see it in the decline. Nd visitors and prosperity one of the richest resources on the planet. It wasnt a result of exercise or diet. Countries and stress bad policy and economic engagement. This is what we hope for for the region. I can tell you 40 years from now we live in an hemisphere where he have more countries. Like brazil, which has now gone through the constitutional process and move forward. Would america be more prosperous or lesss or less prosperous . By prioritizing they levels of government. My hope is it is from our seat in the United States senate and from our engagement such as this that we can encourage more from both sides of the aisle to engage in the western hemisphere. Opportunities are truly extraordinary. Because we havent been debating it for far too long, as of now there are no partisan lines. Thank you. Hope and the years to come opportunity i look for to need to work with you. Thank you very much. , thank you for the compelling and thoughtful vision. Thank you for letting us be here with you. You mentioned in the first part of your speech the relevance and i couldnt agree with you more what corruption does with countries. One is corruption as you know. Im sure you know about supply and demand. It is really where the drug is consumed. Do you have any reflection of that . I kind of limited it. Maybe we should reexamine that as part of our strategy. The first has always been true. America has been the market of choice for consumption of cocaine, obviously marijuana, cocaine, and opiates and heroine. And its the case. The other reality is as other nations become more prosperous come option consumption has increased. To that i would say a couple of points. We are seek we are facing a in the United States. As part of my appropriations will we continue to seek funding for programs not just to prevent alsotion to opiates, but to help treat people with medical conditions. Of the matter is medical research on it is if you are addicted to an opiate, the ability to break free from it, military intervention. [laughter] medical intervention. Airstrikes. [laughter] up from theing it ground up in florida. People become addicted, they wind up in the emergency room. And then youre back at on the street and they are seeing the same people 6, 7 times a week, multiple times a day who are overdosing on street heroine. Absolutely, we have to cut off the demand part of it. The supply part of it is important. Is once you cut off one substance it migrates to another. This will be an ongoing challenge. Part and the demand side. I would guess in the years to come, as nations become more prosperous, they too will see an uptick and consumption of atmosphere. We need to be handling best practices in that regard as well. Where is the microphone . I will ask the question. Good. So comprehensive. Are seeing in venezuela is a humanitarian disaster. The own full unfolding of this is uncertain. A totalthe planning for collapse and humanitarian disaster thats going to take resources from the region . I spent a lot of time talking about the nature of the issue in venezuela. A government in power, you have a Civil Society against them. You actually have a National Assembly elected by the people of colombia, which basically has been canceled. If the president said im cutting off your funding, we are going to put it into place. You dont have money for pens, paper, any thing, and were going to ignore the National Assembly and any laws. Imagine if they said we are kicking out every news outlet and the one that remains am going to get my friend to buy it. Imagine you invited a foreign power to come in and take over your intelligence gathering, passport operation and the like because you dont trust your own people to do it because you impressink they will their own people when push comes to shove. The demand of the opposition in venezuela, it is very simple. Theye cost should are supposed to have election this year. To be a president ial recall, they ignored it. The constitution hold that election. That is their ask. That is being ignored. I have been very pleased to see nations in the region take leadership on this. It has been one of the most lift one of the most uplifting experiences. Columbia, they stand firmly in a growing number of nations joining that. You talk about the humanitarian crisis, a bipartisan bill to create and authorize the fund that would help the transition in venezuela given what they now face. There are two reasons for it. It would be very difficult to be successful after any sort of transition. Ideally thats what i would wanted to be. I dont prefer it be any other way. Thats the way i prefer it. Even if that were to occur the societal challenges they face are extraordinary. Going togovernment is fail, creating further problems. So the creation and authorize i think ite funds has the impact of helping our allies in the region. The last thing columbia needs is a migratory crisis. And all the other challenges faced by these cartels that emerged in areas where they the lasto pull out thing they need is a challenge of migratory pressure. We want authorize the money so obviously we have to go out and make sure it is a place to prepare were necessary. Americas voice is important. I have been pleasantly surprised that despite whatever peoples political views about the current administration, i will say this to you, i was able to take and i have received multiple reports from leaders in the region that when they meet with the president he always asks about a venezuela. That meeting had impact or Something Else did. In theopenmindedness administration beyond the white house and the state department and the National Security withil to do some thing regards to the regional importance it deserves. We have to follow through on it. Americas voice is important. I think the most Promising Development i have seen is the nation and the region, the democracy is willing to stand up and condemn it. One of the best ways to create stronger ties with our allies in the region is to start doing things together. A engaging together together. It has been a promising exercise as well. Thank you very much. As the senator, please join me one more time and a round of applause. This weekend on American History tv on cspan3, today at 6 p. M. Eastern, author and on black woman who worked as nurses, soldiers, and spies during the civil war. Of one of the wife the leading artists, africanamerican artists. She became involved in the underground railroad. She was a proud and consistent supporter of the u. S. Color troops. University of washington the 1968 on president ial election and offense that affected the outcome. John f. Kennedy, Martin Luther king, and now robert f kennedy. Assassination precipitates a broader national warning. And now it throws the democratic nomination into even more turmoil. Author of the books james madison, a life we considered discusses president madisons personality, problems and personal career. He was lucky enough to encounter doctors who told them to exercise. Today. Ften recommended this month marks president john f. Kennedys 100th birth a sunday at 8 p. M. Reflecting on the life and career of the 35th president. He was a decorated combat veteran. He did believe in strong military. Concessionch broader on what the identity was. He launched the peace corps in my desk peace corps in 1961. He started with the alliance for progress. For a complete American History tv schedule, go to cspan. Org. In a world of ambiguity and temptation you need a moral compass. You must develop and suppose you must compromise for no one, not for a loved one, not for a job and not for a chance at fame or wealth. Actsether the individual or legal government or private realm, one concern dedicated person can meaningfully affect what some consider to be an uncaring world. The bottom is not humiliation, it is humility, an honest assessment of where you are in the learning curve. So, the goal, excellence. , peace, protection of the environment, pride in pluralism. Just a few commencement speeches from the cspan video library. Amyow, minnesota senator klobuchar talks about the future of the Democratic Party in des moines, iowa. This is about 40 minutes. [applause] [applause] thank you, danny. Here. Will clear on out of thank you for coming. It was a wonderful dinner. [laughter] just kidding. Before we introduce the speaker tonight, i want to talk about the flag that is behind me. A lot of people have been asking , that is a weird looking flag