Americas

The State Department is killing its counternarcotics program in Bolivia because the leftist government of Evo Morales isn't playing ball, the State Department announced Thursday.

The department's top counternarcotics official, Assistant Secretary William Brownfield, broke the news after Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) attacked the program during a hearing on security cooperation with Mexico and other Latin American countries. The Obama administration requested $5 million for the program in its 2014 budget, even though Morales expelled the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration five years ago.

“You are correct. I have reached the same conclusion that you have,” Brownfield told Ros-Lehtinen. “I will tell you that I am proud of what the [U.S. embassy's narcotics] section …  has accomplished in Bolivia over the last 30 years. I think they have delivered great value for the American people and, for that matter, for the Bolivian people.”

“That said, the time has come for us to go.”

“Amen,” the congresswoman answered.

The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved a 2014 Homeland Security funding bill with a bipartisan voice vote. The bill is expected on the House floor in June. 

In a surprise development, the committee approved an amendment from Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), which would effectively end immigration from Brazil.

The provision was included in order to pressure Brazil to extradite Brazilian-born Claudia Hoerig to the United States for trial in the murder of her husband, Air Force Major Karl Hoerig. The Ryan amendment does not affect travel visas or visas for temporary workers, an aide said. 

It was passed despite urgings from Homeland subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-Texas) and ranking member David Price (D-N.C.) that it would have far-reaching implications.  The text of the amendment withholds all funding from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to process any immigration visa request for a Brazilian national.

"Major Hoerig’s killer must be returned to the United States to stand trial and we must send a message to Brazil that their conduct won’t be tolerated. This is only going to get more painful for Government of Brazil until Claudia Hoerig is extradited," Ryan said after the vote. 

Overall the bill increases funding for the Department of Homeland Security, compared to the level it is operating under after the March 1 sequestration cuts went into effect.

The $38.9 billion funding level is approximately $981 million above the current budget, but a cut of $618 million from the pre-sequester level. 

During the markup, Democrats once again tried to attach an amendment that would replace the 2013 sequester and lower 2014 overall budget cap with other deficit savings. 

The Treasury Department on Tuesday imposed sanctions on an imprisoned Mexican drug trafficker who smuggled tons of drugs into the United States on behalf of the Los Zetas cartel.

Alfredo Andrade Parra, 39, is responsible for bringing thousands of pounds of cocaine and marijuana into the country from Mexico every month, the department alleges, and is also wanted in Texas for multiple counts of trafficking and money laundering.

He was arrested by Mexican authorities in April.

The president told Central American business leaders that he wants a relationship of equals with America's southern neighbors.

In his weekly address, the president hit on themes heard repeatedly during his three-day trip to Mexico and Costa Rica.

The House will consider — and likely pass — a bill this month to expedite construction of the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline, Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said in a Friday memo.

“In line with our underlying principles for legislation and our goal of helping make life work for American families and businesses, I expect the House to have a full legislative agenda in May. We will push the administration to finally approve the Keystone pipeline delivering much needed jobs and lower energy prices for families,” the memo said.

The legislation would circumvent President Obama’s authority to issue a cross-border permit needed to complete Keystone’s northern leg.

Three Cuban-American House members said Friday they were “deeply disturbed” by the State Department's decision to grant a visa to Mariela Castro, daughter of President Raul Castro and niece of his brother Fidel. Read more...

"I've come to Mexico because I think it's time for us to put old mindsets aside," the president said.

Obama said, "It's important for everybody to remember that our shared border is more secure than it's been in years."

Obama departed Washington for a trip to Mexico and Central America that is likely to be dominated by immigration reform.