Promising to build on her predecessor's successful economic and social policies, Dilma Rousseff was inaugurated as Brazil's first female president on January 1 in Brasilia. The former presidential chief of staff built a cabinet of continuity, hoping to continue her country's prosperity.

2010 marked a standout year for Latin America, where economic growth outpaced the global average. AS/COA Online takes a look at some of the top issues that will affect the region in 2011.

Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Costa Rica elected new presidents in 2010. AS/COA Online takes a look at these new leaders and considers the major events shaping their presidencies.

With 0.7 percent of the vote separating who will compete in the January runoff, Haitians are demanding justice.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega won congressional approval of three laws that some observers say will deepen executive and military powers. Such moves reflect other regional bids to strengthen or extend presidential power.

Leopoldo López, founder of Voluntad Popular and prominant politician, joined Americas Society and Council of the Americas on December 13 for a discussion about Venezuela’s political and economic outlook ahead of December 2012 presidential elections. Watch the video.

"2010 has been particularly active for hemispheric elections, and the results are instructive as we look for clues of what may come in 2011," writes COA's Eric Farnsworth in PODER Hispanic.