President Evo Morales won December 6 elections by pulling in roughly 35 percent more votes than his top rival. Moreover, his Movement Toward Socialism political party gained control of the Senate to gain a congressional majority.

Before the United States agrees to lift more sanctions toward Cuba, Havana must allow for greater political and economic freedoms.

Hondurans headed to the polls November 29 to elect Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo as the next president. But, with hemispheric leaders divided over whether to recognize the outcome and questions remaining about the restitution of a deposed president, the country's political fate remains unclear.

Uruguayans chose José "Pepe" Mujica of the governing party as their next president in November 29 roundoff elections.The high approval ratings of the current administration likely gave an electoral boost to Mujica, a former guerilla who pledged to follow his predecessor's path and identified Brazil's president as his model.

"Fingers are crossed throughout the Americas for a speedy conclusion to the Honduran crisis. But Sunday's elections may not present the exit we all hope for," write AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini and AQ blogger Daniel Altschuler in The Huffington Post.

Less than two weeks before the Honduran elections, an AS/COA panel explored the aftermath of the June 28 overthrow of Manuel Zelaya, the role of Washington and the international community in the crisis, and the potential for transparency on election day.

As Chile prepares for its December 13 presidential election, this young candidate has shaken up the post-Pinochet pattern of two coalitions battling for the presidency.