"To help foster important reforms in El Salvador and the region, the United States needs an ambassador in place. And we need someone there now," writes AS/COA's Jason Marczak in an op-ed for the Houston Chronicle.

"Why is a position against violence targeting homosexuals and in defense of gay rights a valid reason to reject a nominee to an ambassadorship?" asks AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini, after the Senate's rejection of Mari Carmen Aponte as U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador.

Approval of trade pacts with Colombia and Panama marked a bipartisan milestone this year, but other hemispheric issues sparked divisions in U.S. Congress.

Representative David Dreier speaks with AS/COA about a recent congressional delegation he led to Latin America and his views on trade, security, immigration, and U.S. policy towards Latin America.

"The delay in passing this [trade agreement with Colombia] called into question the United States’ reliability as a partner," says COA's Eric Farnsworth.

"My hope is today’s events will be the beginning of a renewed effort from the United States to engage in trade," says COA's Eric Farnsworth.

The U.S. House and Senate passage of bilateral free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama on October 12 clears the way for long-delayed implementation.