The Winter Games draw questions about what bearing the Olympics will have on Vancouver’s economy. Local officials are banking on the Games to showcase the world’s most livable city in hopes of ushering along economic recovery.

AS/COA's first conference in Madrid explored Spain's strong cultural ties and significant investment relations with Latin America and the United States. Speakers included U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Arturo Valenzuela and Ibero-American General Secretariat Enrique Iglesias.

Shoppers flocked to stores over the weekend even as Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez warned companies against price increases. Caracas announced a devaluation of the bolivar in a move that sparked a rally on Venezuelan debt—as well as inflation worries.

Mexico rang in the New Year with a series of tax hikes in hopes of easing a budget deficit. The tax increases come as President Felipe Calderón kicks off the second half of his term with an ambitious political reform proposal.

Chairman of Roubini Global Economics and New York University Professor of Economics Nouriel Roubini joined AS/COA Online for an interview on Latin America's economic outlook. Dr. Roubini forecasts a regional growth rate of 3.8 percent for 2010.

President Obama needs to summon the political courage to push through free trade.

In an AS/COA roundtable, panelists discussed the outlook of the private equity and venture capital markets in Latin America through a comparative approach with other regions of the world, highlighting energy, infrastructure, agribusiness, and Brazil’s potential.