break down any market or regulatory barriers; 
and 
(D) to establish a mechanism for each host 
government to have access to independent legal 
advice— 
(i) to speed the development of en-
ergy-related contracts; and 
(ii) to better protect the interests of 
Caribbean governments and their citizens. 
TITLE 
II—PROMOTING 
RE-
GIONAL SECURITY AND DIG-
ITAL 
SECURITY, 
AND 
PRO-
TECTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN 
THE AMERICAS 
SEC. 201. ENSURING THE INTEGRITY OF TELECOM AND 
DATA 
NETWORKS 
AND 
CRITICAL 
INFRA-
STRUCTURE. 
(a) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) allegations of espionage, intellectual prop-
erty theft, hacking, and unscrupulous business prac-
tices often accompany the entrance of Chinese com-
panies into a region; 
(2) the United States Government should assist 
Latin American and Caribbean governments and 
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businesses in developing their own digital tele-
communications networks to render them less sus-
ceptible to Chinese malfeasance; and 
(3) strengthening and implementing intellectual 
property and cyber governance laws will boost inno-
vation in the Latin America and the Caribbean. 
(b) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary of 
State, working through the Office of the Coordinator for 
Cyber Issues of the Department of State, and in consulta-
tion with the Attorney General, the Director of the Fed-
eral Bureau of Investigation, and the Chief of the Inter-
national Bureau of the Federal Communications Commis-
sion shall offer to provide technical assistance to partner 
governments in Latin America and the Caribbean to 
strengthen their capacity to promote digital security, in-
cluding— 
(1) defending the integrity of digital infrastruc-
ture and digital assets, including data storage sys-
tems, such as Cloud computing, proprietary data, 
personal information, and proprietary technologies; 
(2) detecting, identifying, and investigating 
cybercrimes, including the collection of digital foren-
sic evidence; 
(3) developing appropriate enforcement mecha-
nisms for cybercrimes; 
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(4) detecting and identifying perpetrators; and 
(5) prosecuting cybercrimes and holding per-
petrators accountable for such crimes. 
(c) PRIORITIZATION.—The Secretary of State, in pro-
viding the technical assistance described in subsection (b), 
shall prioritize working with national and regional law en-
forcement entities, including— 
(1) police forces; 
(2) public prosecutors; 
(3) attorneys general; 
(4) courts; and 
(5) other law enforcement and civilian intel-
ligence entities, as appropriate. 
(d) CYBER DEFENSE ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary 
of State, in coordination with the Commander of the 
United States Cyber Command and the Director of Na-
tional Intelligence, shall offer to provide technical assist-
ance to strengthen the capacity of partner governments 
in Latin America and the Caribbean— 
(1) to protect the integrity of their telecom and 
data networks and their critical infrastructure; 
(2) to build and monitor secure telecom and 
data networks; 
(3) to identify cyber threats and detect and 
deter cyber attacks; 
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(4) to investigate cyber crimes, including the 
collection of digital forensic evidence; 
(5) to protect the integrity of digital infrastruc-
ture and digital assets, including data storage sys-
tems (including Cloud computing), proprietary data, 
personal information, and proprietary technologies; 
(6) to plan maintenance, improvements, and 
modernization in a coordinated and regular fashion 
so as to ensure continuity and safety; and 
(7) to protect the digital systems that manage 
roads, bridges, ports, and transportation hubs. 
(e) BRIEFING REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 
180 days thereafter, the Secretary of State shall provide 
a briefing regarding the technical assistance described in 
subsection (b) and (d) to— 
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
Senate; 
(2) the Committee on the Judiciary of the Sen-
ate; 
(3) the Committee on Armed Services of the 
Senate; 
(4) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
House of Representatives; 
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(5) the Committee on the Judiciary of the 
House of Representatives; and 
(6) the Committee on Armed Services of the 
House of Representatives. 
SEC. 202. ADDRESSING THE RISKS THAT PERVASIVE SUR-
VEILLANCE 
AND 
MONITORING 
TECH-
NOLOGIES POSE TO HUMAN RIGHTS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings: 
(1) According to a 2018 report by Freedom 
House— 
(A) China has stepped up efforts to use 
digital media to increase its own power, both in-
side and outside of China; 
(B) in 2018, for the second year in a row, 
China was the worst abuser of internet free-
dom, and during that year, the Government of 
China hosted media officials from dozens of 
countries for 2- and 3-week seminars on its 
sprawling system of censorship and surveillance; 
(C) Chinese companies have supplied tele-
communications hardware, advanced facial-rec-
ognition technology, and data analytics tools to 
a variety of governments with poor human 
rights records, which could benefit Chinese in-
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telligence services and repressive local authori-
ties; and 
(D) China’s Belt and Road Initiative in-
cludes a ‘‘Digital Silk Road’’ of Chinese-built 
fiber-optic networks that could expose internet 
traffic to greater monitoring by local and Chi-
nese intelligence agencies, given that China is 
determined to set the technical standards for 
how the next generation of traffic is coded and 
transmitted. 
(2) As part of its engagement with Latin Amer-
ican and Caribbean governments, China has begun 
promoting the installation of pervasive surveillance 
camera systems, under the pretext of citizen secu-
rity, in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Venezuela, to be fi-
nanced, designed, installed, and maintained by com-
panies linked to the Government of China. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that— 
(1) China is exporting its model for internal se-
curity and state control of society through advanced 
technology and artificial intelligence; and 
(2) the adoption of surveillance systems can 
lead to breaches of citizens’ private information, in-
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creased censorship, violations of civil rights, and 
harassment of political opponents. 
(c) DIPLOMATIC ENGAGEMENT.—The Secretary of 
State shall conduct diplomatic engagement with govern-
ments in Latin America and the Caribbean— 
(1) to help officials identify and mitigate the 
risks to civil liberties posed by pervasive surveillance 
and monitoring technologies; and 
(2) to offer recommendations on ways to miti-
gate such risks. 
(d) INTERNET FREEDOM PROGRAMS.—The Chief 
Executive Officer of the United States Agency for Global 
Media, working through the Open Technology Fund, and 
the Secretary of State, working through the Bureau of De-
mocracy, Human Rights, and Labor’s office of Internet 
Freedom and Business and Human Rights, shall expand 
and prioritize efforts to provide anti-censorship technology 
and services to journalists and citizens in Latin America, 
in order to enhance their ability to safely access or share 
digital news and information without fear of repercussions 
or surveillance. 
(e) SUPPORT FOR CIVIL SOCIETY.—The Secretary of 
State, acting through the Assistant Secretary of State for 
Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, and in coordina-
tion with the Administrator of the United States Agency 
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for International Development, shall work through non-
governmental organizations— 
(1) to support and promote programs that sup-
port internet freedom and the free flow of informa-
tion online in Latin America and the Caribbean; 
(2) to protect open, secure, and reliable access 
to the internet in Latin America and the Caribbean; 
(3) to provide integrated support to civil society 
for technology, digital safety, policy and advocacy, 
and applied research programs in Latin America 
and the Caribbean; 
(4) to train journalists and civil society leaders 
in Latin America and the Caribbean on investigative 
techniques necessary to ensure public accountability 
and prevent government overreach in the digital 
sphere; and 
(5) to assist independent media outlets and 
journalists in Latin America and the Caribbean to 
build their own capacity and develop high-impact, in- 
depth news reports covering governance and human 
rights topics. 
(f) BRIEFING REQUIREMENT.—Not more than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 
180 days thereafter, the Secretary of State, the Adminis-
trator of the United States Agency for International De-
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velopment, and the Chief Executive Officer of the United 
States Agency for Global Media shall provide a briefing 
regarding the efforts described in subsections (c), (d), and 
(e) to— 
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
Senate; 
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate; 
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
House of Representatives; and 
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives. 
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 to 
carry out the activities set forth in subsection (e). 
(2) NOTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS.—Amounts 
appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject 
to the notification requirements applicable to ex-
penditures from— 
(A) the Economic Support Fund under 
section 531(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346(c)); and 
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(B) the Development Assistance Fund 
under section 653(a) of the Foreign Assistance 
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2413(a)). 
SEC. 203. REVITALIZING BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL 
MILITARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State shall dedi-
cate not less than 17 percent of the amounts appropriated 
to bilateral and multilateral military education programs, 
such as the International Military Education and Training 
program, for Latin America and the Caribbean during the 
5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
this Act. 
(b) MODERNIZATION.—The Secretary of State shall 
take steps to modernize and strengthen the programs re-
ceiving funding under subsection (a)— 
(1) to ensure that such programs are vigorous, 
substantive, and the preeminent choice for inter-
national military education and training for Latin 
American and Caribbean partners. 
(c) REQUIRED ELEMENTS.—The programs referred 
to under subsection (a) shall— 
(1) provide training and capacity-building op-
portunities to Latin American and Caribbean secu-
rity services; 
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(2) provide practical skills and frameworks 
for— 
(A) improving the functioning and organi-
zation of security services in Latin America and 
the Caribbean; 
(B) creating a better understanding of the 
United States and its values; and 
(C) using technology for maximum effi-
ciency and organization; and 
(3) promote and ensure that security services in 
Latin America and the Caribbean operate in compli-
ance with international norms, standards, and rules 
of engagement, including a respect for human 
rights, democracy, and civilian control. 
(d) LIMITATION.—Security assistance under this sec-
tion is subject to the limitations set forth in section 620M 
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2378d). 
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TITLE 
III—ADVANCING 
THE 
ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN 
LATIN 
AMERICA 
AND 
THE 
CARIBBEAN 
SEC. 
301. 
COUNTERACTING 
GROWING 
CHINESE 
EDU-
CATIONAL AND CULTURAL INFLUENCE IN 
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN. 
(a) FINDING.—According to a report by the National 
Endowment for Democracy— 
(1) China has spent the equivalent of billions of 
dollars to shape public opinion and perceptions 
around the world through thousands of people-to- 
people exchanges, cultural activities, educational pro-
grams, and the development of media enterprises 
and information initiatives with global reach; 
(2) the aim of Chinese influence efforts is in-
tended to distract and manipulate the political and 
information environments in targeted countries; and 
(3) the countries most vulnerable to Chinese ef-
forts are those in which democratic institutions are 
weak. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that China’s efforts to mold public opinion and influ-
ence educational institutions on the issues described in 
subsection (a) undermines United States influence in 
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Latin America and the Caribbean and threaten democratic 
institutions and practices in the region. 
(c) STRATEGY.—The Secretary of State, acting 
through the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational 
and Cultural Affairs, and in coordination with the Assist-
ant Administrator for the Bureau of Economic Growth, 
Education, and Environment at the United States Agency 
for International Development, shall devise a strategy— 
(1) to expand existing programs and, as nec-
essary, design and implement educational, profes-
sional, and cultural exchanges and other programs 
to create and sustain mutual understanding with 
other countries necessary to advance United States 
foreign policy goals by cultivating people-to-people 
ties among current and future global leaders that 
build enduring networks and personal relationships 
and promote United States national security and 
values, including the expansion of exchange visitor 
programs, such as international visitor leadership 
programs and professional capacity building pro-
grams that prioritize building skills in entrepreneur-
ship, promoting transparency, and technology; 
(2) to expand and strengthen existing pro-
grams, and, as necessary, design and implement 
basic and higher education programs in Latin Amer-
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ica and the Caribbean, in accordance with the 
United States Strategy on International Basic Edu-
cation and the United States Agency for Inter-
national Development Education Policy, to enable all 
young adults, youth, and children to acquire the 
quality education and skills needed to be productive 
members in society, which will lead to better health, 
economic growth, a sustainable environment, and 
peaceful, democratic societies; 
(3) to dedicate not less than 18 percent of the 
budget of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural 
Affairs of the Department of State to carry out the 
activities described in paragraph (1); and 
(4) to dedicate not less than 8 percent of the 
budget of the Education Office of the United States 
Agency for International Development to carry out 
the activities described in paragraph (2). 
(d) BRIEFING REQUIREMENT.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 
180 days thereafter, the Secretary of State, the Assistant 
Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
and the Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Eco-
nomic Growth, Education, and Environment at the United 
States Agency for International Development shall provide 
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a briefing regarding the efforts described in subsection (c) 
to— 
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
Senate; 
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate; 
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
House of Representatives; and 
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives. 
SEC. 302. ADVANCING THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND 
THE MEDIA TO PROMOTE ACCOUNTABILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State, acting 
through the Assistance Secretary of State for Democracy, 
Human Rights, and Labor, the Assistant Secretary of 
State for Education and Cultural Affairs, and the Coordi-
nator of the Global Engagement Center, shall expand ex-
isting initiatives and, as necessary, develop and implement 
new initiatives that facilitate and strengthen the capacity 
of civil society and independent media outlets to increase 
transparency and accountability among government and 
business leaders. 
(b) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.—The initiatives under 
subsection (a) shall include— 
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(1) training for journalists and civil society 
leaders on investigative techniques necessary to im-
prove transparency and accountability in government 
and the private sector; 
(2) training on investigative reporting relating 
to incidents of corruption and unfair trade, business 
and commercial practices, including the role of the 
Government of China in such practices; 
(3) training on investigative reporting relating 
to efforts the use of misinformation, disinformation, 
and state media to influence public opinion in Latin 
America and the Caribbean, including the role of the 
Government of China in such practices; and 
(4) assistance for nongovernmental organiza-
tions to strengthen their capacity to monitor the ac-
tivities described in paragraphs (2) and (3). 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In developing and imple-
menting the initiatives under subsection (a), the Secretary 
of State shall consult with— 
(1) nongovernmental organizations focused on 
transparency and combating corruption, such as 
Transparency International, the Latin American and 
Caribbean chapters of Transparency International, 
and similar organizations; and 
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(2) media organizations that promote investiga-
tive journalism and train organizations in investiga-
tive techniques necessary to ensure public account-
ability, such as ProPublica, the Center for Public In-
tegrity, and the International Consortium of Inves-
tigative Journalists. 
(d) SEMIANNUAL BRIEFING REQUIREMENT.—Not 
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary of 
State shall provide a briefing regarding the initiatives 
under subsection (a) to— 
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the 
Senate; and 
(2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the 
House of Representatives. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of State $10,000,000 
for fiscal year 2021 to carry out the initiatives under 
subsection (a). 
(2) NOTIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS.—Amounts 
appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) are subject 
to the notification requirements applicable to ex-
penditures from the Economic Support Fund under 
section 531(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 
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