自上世紀六○年代以來，許多國家希望透過區域經貿合作的方式，重建二次大戰結束後受損的經濟，並促進國內經濟與社會的發展。當年歐洲聯盟前身的歐洲共同體在其發展的幾個階段，歷經成員國間相互減免關稅、成立自由貿易區、組成關稅同盟、進而完成共同市場、並協調各國財政經濟政策，成為區域經濟合作的良好範例。這套經濟整合作的發展模式，也成為其他地區國家參考學習的典範。拉丁美洲的加勒比海地區、中美洲與南美洲二十餘個大小國家，雖然在文化、種族及天然資源方面有著不少差異，但是也有意藉由成立區域經貿合作發展組織的方式，相互提攜，加速經濟和社會發展。本文就拉丁美洲各國先後組成之中美洲共同市場、加勒比海共同體、安地斯共同體，以及南方共同市場等區域經貿合作組織，分析探討其運作成效及有待克服和改善的重點，以明瞭拉丁美洲在區域經貿合作方面之近期情勢與發展。

Since 1960s, many countries have reconstructed their economy to facilitate their domestic economic and social development damaged during the World War Ⅱ. The development of European Union, the former European Community, has gone through several stages: first came the mutual tariff reduction, then followed by free trade area, customs union, common market, and lately harmonization of financial and economic policies, which set a good example for regional economic cooperation. Although there are many differences (such as cultures, ethnics, and natural resources) among the countries in the Caribbean region and in central and southern America, these countries attempt to reinforce economic and social development through regional economic cooperation. This article focuses on the challenges and progress of regional economic cooperation organizations, such as the Caribbean Community, the Andean Community, and MERCOSUR in Latin America, thus readers can know the latest situation and development of regional economic cooperation in Latin America.