; (2) increased United States engagement with countries in the Western Hemisphere is essential to addressing initiatives by rival powers, such as China, to increase their presence and influence over governments in Latin American and the Caribbean at the expense of strategic economic and security interests of the United States; (3) the United States is uniquely positioned to promote the rule of law and support the strengthening of democratic institutions and individual freedoms in Latin America and the Caribbean, while improving the quality of life of citizens throughout the Western Hemisphere; (4) China’s growing presence in the Western Hemisphere— (A) has contributed to the survival of autocratic and anti-democratic regimes, such as the Maduro regime and the Government of Cuba, by acting as a lender of last resort and providing other forms of economic support; (B) has assisted such regimes in undermining democratic norms through weapons sales and the proliferation of surveillance technology; and (C) has provided governments with the resources to implement irresponsible economic policies to the detriment of its citizens; and (5) the United States Government should continue to assert a positive presence in the Western Hemisphere based upon— (A) supporting the rule of law, combating corruption, and advancing digital security as a means to improve prospects for regional growth and development and mitigate the unfair advantage accrued to those that engage in unfair and illegal practices; (B) facilitating technical assistance and knowledge-sharing programs that strengthen regional governments’ and businesses’ capacity for engaging in sound negotiations and contracts, protect their economic interests, and protect the economic interests of their citizens