As the U.S. Navy reactivated its Fourth Fleet to manage operations in Latin American waters last week, U.S. officials responded to concerns from regional leaders about the fleet’s purpose. 

The dramatic rescue of Ingrid Betancourt raises speculation about who may run in Colombia’s next presidential race. Meanwhile, her release places pressure on the FARC to liberate all hostages. A recent AS/COA analysis takes a closer look at the FARC’s diminishing power.

Anti-immigration policies are hurting real people and families and undermining U.S. ideals of justice. They may also be making us less safe from terrorism. Read the entire article in the Summer 2008 issue of Americas Quarterly.

President Felipe Calderón signed a much-anticipated reform of Mexico's judicial system, allowing for greater transparency through public trials and presumption of innocence for defendants.

AS/COA hosted their 12th annual Bogotá Conference, “Colombia in the Eyes of Wall Street, Global Slowdown: Impact on Latin America” on June 18. The conference examined Colombia’s growth prospects in today’s challenging global environment. Read a summary of the event.

In recent days, Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez shifted tone on several policy fronts and urged the FARC to end its armed conflict with the Colombian government. But Chávez's critics complain he continues to attempt to silence opposition. 

With tensions running high between some Andean countries, AS/COA convened a roundtable on economic, political, and security issues affecting the region. The discussion included a keynote speech by Ecuador's Minister of the Government and Police Fernando Bustamante.