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Rio Group:Set up in 1987 as a forum for joined political action among the nations of South- and Central America, especially with regard to US policy. It's remit also includes promotion of free trade and joined action against drug trafficing and corruption.
Andean Community of Nations:The Andian Group was formed in 1969 to promote economic and political integration among member states. It's present incarnation, which follwed revision to the original charta dates from 1996.
ALADI:Latin American Integration Association
ALADI's ultimate objective is the creation of a common market througout North America. A system of preferiental tarifs is designed to help individual states and further economic harmonisation.
MERCOSUR:Southern Common Market
MERCOSUR is a custom's union for the southern part of Latin America. Currently it's main objective is economic harmonisation. The Association States (Bolivia and Chile) participate in the free trade zone only.
NAFTA:North American Free Trade Agreement
NAFTA provides for a free trade zone and customs union among it's members. Signed in 1994, it aims to remove all previous restrictions on trade and investment by 2009.
OAS:Organisation of American States
Established in 1948, the OAS is the principal diplomatic and security forum for the nations of South and Central America and Caribbean. It has become especially involved in efforts to promote human rights in the region and in the struggles against corruption and drug trafficing.