The Republicans retained the House and the Democrats kept the Senate, but the results of several individual races will impact the “who’s who” of voices on Latin America in the U.S. Congress.

Earlier this month, House Speaker John Boehner led a congressional delegation to Latin America to discuss jobs, energy, and economic security.

Approval of trade pacts with Colombia and Panama marked a bipartisan milestone this year, but other hemispheric issues sparked divisions in U.S. Congress.

The U.S. House and Senate passage of bilateral free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama on October 12 clears the way for long-delayed implementation.

Trade pacts remain on hold ahead of the summer recess, but Congress has taken up hemispheric issues such as diplomatic posts and a debate over OAS funding.

The U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement has moved closer to submission to Congress. A new COA update looks at the progress and potential next steps for advancing the bilateral trade pact.

Two House hearings provide a snapshot of the evolving congressional debate on the path to ratify the free-trade accord with Colombia.