At the Miami launch of the latest issue of Americas Quarterly, a panel moderated by Miami Herald columnist Andrés Oppenheimer examined Latin American social mobility and hemispheric trade policy, as well as Cuba’s economic outlook following Raúl Castro’s accession.

Concerns about violence and Bolivian unity mount as the eastern, energy-rich province of Santa Cruz prepares to hold a referendum on whether to become autonomous. Three other provinces plan similar votes. 

In an op-ed for the Washington Times, Shankar Singham—a partner with global law firm and COA member Squire Sanders & Dempsey, L.L.P. —warns against anti-free trade rhetoric utilized in current U.S. presidential campaigns. "Those political candidates who have hidden behind trade as the primary reason for economic anxiety are hiding voters from the truth of the new global economy," writes Singham.

Cuban workers and students have started to speak out against the failures of the revolution and the lack of changes. Recent pools indicate that the majority of Cubans are unhappy with the level of personal and economic freedom. Read the entire article in the Spring 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly.

Cuba's new President is anything but, and the much expected change in power will bring only minor modifications for Cuba's long-suffering citizens, write Gary Max and Cecilia Vaisman. Read a preview of this article appearing in a special report on Cuba in the Spring 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly.

Spain voted Sunday as immigration and the economy took center stage. With a large South American immigrant population in Spain and Spanish conglomerates' holdings in the Americas, the election results hold implications for Latin America.

Mauricio Ardila of George Washington University looks at the evolution of Facebook and how users organically mobilized millions of people to march against the FARC in Colombia.