Contributions from Carin Zissis
A Venezuelan cabinet member resigned in recent days after authorities arrested his brother in connection to a banking scandal. Caracas shuttered seven small banks in recent weeks.
President Evo Morales won December 6 elections by pulling in roughly 35 percent more votes than his top rival. Moreover, his Movement Toward Socialism political party gained control of the Senate to gain a congressional majority.
Hondurans headed to the polls November 29 to elect Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo as the next president. But, with hemispheric leaders divided over whether to recognize the outcome and questions remaining about the restitution of a deposed president, the country's political fate remains unclear.