Seven countries held presidential elections, Brazil took the global stage, and the United States transformed its ties with Cuba. Read these stories and more.

"The Cuban government is trying to lay the groundwork for change to guide the country toward a more sustainable political system," suggests AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini.

The increase in remittances will help Cuba's economy and its emerging private sector, comments AS/COA's Alana Tummino.

AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini explains how U.S.-Cuba renewed relations can leave Venezuela isolated from the rest of the region.

It’s difficult to overstate the importance that Venezuela’s troubles at home have on the recent news between Cuba and the United States, underlines AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini.

AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini explains what President Barack Obama's cuba policy could mean for the U.S. and Cuban economies.

The U.S. shift in Cuba policy will provide a needed lifeline to the island’s private sector, writes AS/COA’s Alana Tummino for U.S. News & World Report.

"What will be key is to watch how regulators translate the White House’s words into policies", comments AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini.

“The coalition that is for change [in Cuba] is broader and more vocal than many of those people who are against it,” points out AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini.