Ecuador is in the midst of a controversial constitutional reform expected to be voted on October 2008. But recent regional tensions with Colombia, a government takeover of several media outlets, and a ministerial shake-up have decreased popular support to approve the measure.

The rise in food prices are generating concern across the globe. AS/COA looks at how rising prices are affecting Latin American, as well as regional responses to meet increased demand and combat food shortages.

As host of both a major EU-Latin American summit and the 2008 APEC meetings, Peru has the opportunity to showcase its thriving growth. Rising food prices and the task of finding ways for prosperity to reach rural areas remain as challenges.

Consumption and domestic demand are helping to fuel an economy that recorded a 5.4 percent increase in real GDP growth last year. AS/COA examines Brazil’s boom in areas ranging from credit to construction and insurance.

President Felipe Calderón presented a much-anticipated energy reform proposal to Mexico's Congress on April 8. Politics and questions about private investment will determine the fate of the bill.

Bolivia struggles to maintain contractual commitments to Argentina and Brazil, leading to a recent leader’s meeting in Buenos Aires about the matter. In Venezuela, fallout continues following last year's nationalizations. 

What are the candidates saying about issues that affect the Americas? In the first installment of its U.S. Election Update series, AS/COA looks at candidate positions on foreign aid, including proposals for boosting democracy, alleviating poverty and disease, and increasing access to education in the developing world.