Banks and Government Agencies

Some Architects of American Infrastructure Expansion

The following are some of the financial institutions and government agencies pushing, financing and planning infrastructure expansion in the Americas.

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB/IADB)

Inter-American Development Bank
1300 New York Ave NW
Washington, DC 20577
www.iadb.org

The IDB (or BID, in Spanish) is composed of 47 member countries from across the world, with those of the Global North being the lenders and those in Latin America and the Caribbean being forced into debt. The IDB operates by lending impoverished countries money to build infrastructure projects such as roads and dams; repaying the debt incurred by these projects then forces the borrowing countries to cut social programs. In case after case, IDB projects have led to the privatization of social services, land and water; the destruction of ecosystems; the militarization of borders; and the virtual enslavement of low-wage factory workers.

The IDB is the primary financial institution behind the planning, financing and execution of the PPP. It has been called the “World Bank of Latin America”; however, even the World Bank’s dismal environmental and humanitarian standards are more stringent than those of the IDB.

Central American Economic Integration Bank (BCIE)

Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica
Edificio Sede
Bulevar Suyapa
Aptdo Postal 772
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
(504) 240-2243
(504) 240-2185 (fax)
www.bcie.org

The BCIE is a regional development bank in the vein of the World Bank or IDB, with an exclusive focus on Central America. It is the largest financial institution in the area; the IDB has jokingly referred to it as “our ATM in the region.” Sixty percent of the bank’s portfolio is directed toward infrastructure projects, approximately $1.6 billion.

In recent years, the BCIE has rapidly taken on a role as the IDB’s junior partner in funding PPP-related projects. Because the BCIE is even less transparent than the IDB and has virtually no environmental or social standards for the projects it finances, it has increasingly taken over funding for the most controversial and destructive projects from the IDB. It is the primary financer for the Anillo Periférico.

Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE)

Comisión Federal de Electricidad
2a. Secc. Del Bosque De Chapultepec—Museo Technológico
Miguel Hidalgo
Miguel Hidalgo, DF, Mexico
www.cfe.gob.mx
online contact form

The CFE is a loosely regulated federal entity responsible for the creation, maintenance, expansion and oversight of all electricity produced in Mexico. It is the primary government force pushing La Parota.

The Mexican Constitution explicitly states, “Electricity as a public service [is] the exclusive domain of the state. Private contracts will not be awarded in this arena.” Nevertheless, the CFE has been steadily facilitating the privatization of Mexico’s electricity.

The CFE uses its position in the federal government to wield extraordinary power. It has gone so far as offering to fully finance local politicians’ campaigns in exchange for their endorsement of controversial projects.

Ing. Alfredo Elias, AYUB, General Director, 5229-4400 x90000, 90001, 90002, 90003 (phone); 5533-5321 (fax); alfredo.elias@cfe.gob.mx.

US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

The FHWA is the agency of the US Department of Transportation (DOT) responsible for the expansion and maintenance of 1.16 million miles of US roads. Reducing traffic congestion is one of the FHWA’s “top priorities.”

In addition, the agency works to “improve the nation’s national defense mobility…. Highways are critical links for mobilizing and deploying military forces.” The Strategic Highway Corridor Network (STRAHNET), a joint effort of the FHWA and US Department of Defense, is a highway network designed and maintained for the rapid deployment of the US military either domestically or internationally.

The FHWA and DOT have the same office location: 1200 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, DC 20590. In addition to its national headquarters, the FHWA has headquarters in all 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico.

Call the DOT at (202) 366-4000; for an FHWA phone and fax directory, visit www.fhwa.dot.gov. See also www.dot.gov; www.fightgridlocknow.gov, info@fightgridlocknow.gov.