As the U.S. embarks on a trade mission in Latin America, the focus of investing on Brazil’s building boom may ease trade disputes between both countries, suggests AS/COA’s Eric Farnsworth.

The candidate to the IACHR speaks about the IACHR reform process, the June OAS General Assembly and the role of the U.S. in the Inter-American System of Human Rights.

At COA’s Annual Conference, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano spoke on the administration’s efforts to address cyber security, immigration reform, and increase cooperation with Mexico on drug-related violence.

Vice President Joe Biden assured that the Obama administration is “absolutely committed to genuine immigration reform” during his speech at COA’s May 8 Washington Conference on the Americas.

“Border resources need to be sustained, even when focus is elsewhere,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano in her comments on border security at COA’s Washington Conference.

Brazil opens a ministry for small businesses, the Pacific Alliance creates a legislative committee, and Ecuador plans to seek Mercosur membership. Read these stories and more in the Weekly Roundup.