"Allowing a government that came to power through unconstitutional means to ride out an interim period to the next election and then transfer power would set a perilous precedent," write AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini and AQ blogger Daniel Altschuler. "The [power sharing] deal struck last week offers a responsible, democratic exit from the four-month political crisis in Honduras."

The country's Senate voted out Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis on October 30. The news was met with relative calm in Haiti and President René Préval quickly named a replacement, but some worry the prime minister's dismissal could raise concerns of instability at a time of optimism about the country's fate.

The candidate from the governing party, José Mujica, is likely to win in the second round of Uruguay’s presidential voting on November 29 even though his party, the Frente Amplio, has seen a mild drop in support in recent years.

"Countries where democracy is weak...have proven, time and time again, to be the most likely portals through which unhelpful influences such as Iran are introduced into the region," explained COA's Vice President Eric Farnsorth in testimony to U.S. Congress.

Uruguay is slated to hold a November 29 runoff election after no candidate pulled in more than 50 percent of the vote on Sunday. Former guerilla leader José Mujica of the governing party appears well-placed for victory in the next round but he could face a challenge if his opponents form a coalition.

Negotiators for deposed Honduran leader Manuel Zelaya and the interim government continue the slow march toward ending the political standoff. The two sides have exchanged proposals to resolve the sticky question of Zelaya's return to power. Meanwhile, the clock keeps ticking down to November presidential elections.

The surprise return of deposed leader Manuel Zelaya to Honduras on September 21 sparked a tense—and at times violent—period in the Central American country. With the outcome in doubt inside the country, AS/COA takes a look at the roles of external actors seeking to resolve the crisis.