As the political and economic dynamics shift both in the United States and in Latin America and the Caribbean, it is an opportune time to evaluate our successes, failures, opportunities and challenges, and to renovate our strategy there.

While the 2008 elections will choose a new president and foreign policy team, I do not expect that the campaign itself will present much of an opportunity to ponder the fate of the region and our place in it. Despite some major differences that are discussed below, there is an essential bipartisan consensus buttressing our policy. To be sure, nothing has been said or done in the campaign thus far to suggest that any of the leading contenders for the presidency are proposing radically new approaches or even thinking great thoughts about the Americas.

Some Latin Americanists in the United States might be disheartened by the fact that the 2008 campaign will not likely produce grand new strategies for the region. But that reality may serve to focus attention on the inescapable fact that, for better or worse, the future of Latin America is in the hands of its own leaders. While the United States will remain the engine for growth for most of the Americas, the policies for maximizing, sustaining and sharing the benefits of that economic opportunity must be home-grown. Even the United States' standing in the region depends substantially on Latin Americans' self-confidence and willingness to see U.S. ties as a win-win partnership.

Nevertheless, sound U.S. policies and friendly engagement in the region can defend our interests, advance our agenda and strengthen the hand of those leaders who advocate stronger ties with the United States. . . .

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Roger F. Noriega is a visiting fellow at AEI. His law and advocacy firm, Tew Cardenas, LLP, represents U.S. and foreign governments and companies.