As Peru’s economy surges, its government pursues free trade pacts with some of Asia’s largest economies—most recently South Korea.

As the Mexican Congress prepares to come back in session, President Felipe Calderón unveiled a new bill aimed to strike at the heart of organized crime by stemming the flow of illicit cash that funds cartels. But some wonder how the new law might affect legitimate business.

Caracas and Bogota are taking steps to bury the hatchet in what could lead to economic benefits for both sides.

Brazil’s discovery of a massive undersea deposit of natural gas could potentially alter its long-term energy strategy and also adversely affect neighboring Bolivia’s lucrative supply of hydrocarbons to its biggest customer.

Last week, U.S. President Barack Obama approved an act that allocated $600 million to boost security along the border with Mexico. An AS/COA analysis looks at how the funds will be raised and spent.

President Sebastián Piñera started his term overseeing Chile's post-earthquake reconstruction and has presided over a robust economic recovery. Still, six months after the earthquake the new leader has seen his approval ratings slump.

The U.S. Trade Representative filed a complaint against Guatemala on July 30, claiming violations to labor rights agreed to under the Central American Free Trade Agreement. The dispute marks the first U.S. case of its kind within the framework of a trade pact.