In what President Juan Manuel Santos called “a decisive blow,” a Colombian strike this week claimed the life of the FARC’s top military leader Jorge Briceño Suárez, known as Mono Jojoy.

As the Mexican Congress prepares to come back in session, President Felipe Calderón unveiled a new bill aimed to strike at the heart of organized crime by stemming the flow of illicit cash that funds cartels. But some wonder how the new law might affect legitimate business.

Data from the first region-wide citizen terror assessment shows the importance of a strong rule of law in putting citizens at ease.

While Venezuela and Colombia have taken an important step in reestablishing diplomatic ties, a sustained commitment by both countries will be necessary to achieve a new era of bilateral cooperation, writes AS/COA's Jason Marczak in El Diario/La Prensa. (en español)

Caracas maintains territorial, maritime, and border disputes with several Caribbean countries, leading to uneasy ties between Venezuela and many of its neighbors.

Bogota presented evidence at an OAS session that Venezuela knowingly provides sanctuary and support to FARC and ELN rebels within its territory. Caracas responded by breaking diplomatic ties with its neighbor.

Central American leaders gathered in San Salvador July 20 to coordinate strategies for stemming the rising tide of violence caused by organized crime, particularly in the “northern triangle” of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.