MIAMI — The Biden administration will use the upcoming Summit of the Americas to address some of the most pressing challenges in the region, including migration, threats to democracy and economic recovery from the pandemic, said Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, one of two former members of Congress tapped by the White House to lead the planning efforts as special advisers.
The focus on democratic governance, human rights and countering disinformation in the region comes at a time Russia’s war in Ukraine has instilled a new sense of urgency in the administration’s efforts ahead of the summit.
“As we are experiencing a critical moment in our history with the Russian aggression against Ukraine, one of our main priorities is strengthening our democracy here in the Western Hemisphere,” Mucarsel-Powell, a Florida Democrat, told the Miami Herald. “That has always been one of the pillars of the Summit of the Americas, and we are following those guidelines to ensure that we protect democratic governance.”
