"Democratic principles may sometimes be difficult or unpopular to defend, but in Latin America, as elsewhere, they are precious and well worth the fight," writes COA's Eric Farnsworth in an op-ed for The Miami Herald.

"It requires an act of Congress to change [The United States policies against Cuba], but that ain’t going to happen any time soon," said AS/COA Christopher Sabatini.

"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.