U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta’s five-day tour of Colombia, Brazil, and Chile focused on regional defense, disaster preparedness, and arms exchanges.

Legislators passed a bill on April 19 to reduce Mexico’s carbon dioxide emissions, making the country only the second in the world to require legally binding targets to combat climate change.

On April 25, the Supreme Court is slated to start hearing arguments on SB 1070, Arizona’s controversial immigration law. An eventual ruling could impact similar local immigration laws.

Colombia is thought to host significant but undeveloped copper reserves, attracting interest from Chile’s national copper company, which hopes to make its first international investment there.

A new legal framework promising tax breaks is attracting tablet producers to set up shop in Brazil, where costs and bureaucracy historically limited high-tech business.

Though the Sixth Summit of the Americas ended without a final declaration, leaders came together on agreements during sideline dialogues.

Mexico's President Felipe Calderón traveled to Cuba April 11 to restore frayed relations. Heralding a “renewed phase” in bilateral ties, the president’s agenda focused on trade and cooperation.