Latin America surpasses the world average when it comes to the number of female lawmakers. Despite progress at the presidential and legislative levels, some countries in the region fall short on boosting the number of women in office.

Brazil's Iran ties and a devestating earthquake in Chile have been the main focuses of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Latin American travels this week. Her trip, from February 28 through March 5, brings her to Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.

Just three months before presidential elections, Colombia's constitutional court voted 7 to 2 against allowing a referendum that would have permitted President Álvaro Uribe to seek a third consecutive term.

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Chile on February 27. AS/COA Online shares links to more information and ways to support relief efforts.

The prospect of tapping into oil reserves has reignited a decades-old disagreement between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falklands' sovereignty. As a British firm began drilling, Buenos Aires made its case at the UN.

Latin American leaders at a Rio Group summit proposed a new regional bloc that would exclude the United States and Canada. On the sidelines, Colombian President Álvaro Uribe and his Ecuadorian counterpart Rafael Correa agreed to a “road map” to improve diplomatic relations.

The Dominican Republic rallied to help neighboring Haiti after last month's devastating earthquake. But Dominican concerns over refugees crossing the border could strain relations.