Abstract
Despite their severity, the implementation problems in regional integration agreements in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have received relatively limited scholarly attention. This paper seeks to address this gap in the literature on LAC regionalism analyzing original data on the implementation records of members of the four main blocs in the region. The empirical evidence presented here suggests that there are indeed important implementation gaps in the four organizations. To account for the existence of these outcomes, the chapter considers the plausibility of a number of hypotheses derived from International Relations theory. The analysis suggests that implementation problems in LAC trade blocs reflect three main problems: a leadership gap, given the unwillingness of powerful countries to act as focal points in the resolution of coordination and collaboration problems at the regional level; the inadequate design and limited legitimacy of regional institutions; and the strategic and domestic political calculations of national leaders