To stem the flow of illegal drugs, the United States and Bolivia "need to find a more effective way to cooperate for mutual benefit," argues COA's Eric Farnsworth in The Houston Chronicle. "Rethinking the bilateral approach to coca is a promising place to start."

Mexico’s bicentennial underscores challenges and opportunities for the United States as well, writes former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and Americas Society Board Member Antonio O. Garza.

Two Cuba experts debate whether the U.S. should maintain the status quo.

"If done carefully, further reforms hold the promise of breaking the policy and human rights stasis that has gripped Cuba, and U.S. policy towards Cuba, for more than half a century. That is a prize worth grasping," writes AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini in the Financial Times.

"Any and all changes to the U.S. embargo must first and foremost be geared toward strengthening the hand of the island’s independent sectors," says AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini in this report published by the Woodrow Wilson Center's Latin America Program.

Last week, U.S. President Barack Obama approved an act that allocated $600 million to boost security along the border with Mexico. An AS/COA analysis looks at how the funds will be raised and spent.

The U.S. Trade Representative filed a complaint against Guatemala on July 30, claiming violations to labor rights agreed to under the Central American Free Trade Agreement. The dispute marks the first U.S. case of its kind within the framework of a trade pact.