After winning nearly 45 percent of the vote in the first round of elections, President-Elect Cristina Fernández de Kirchner will assume office on December 10. Continued economic growth and revamping the national statistics institute will be top concerns.

Senator Kirchner gained victory in Argentina's presidential election, defeating 13 other candidates. Kirchner discussed Argentina’s economic outlook at a September AS/COA event. In an AS/COA interview, Roberto Lavagna, a top candidate and former finance minister, outlined his policy proposals.

The Bush administration continues to urge congressional approval of free-trade agreements with Peru, Colombia, and Panama. But while action on the Peru deal appears imminent, the Colombia and Panama deals face obstacles. A new AS/COA update outlines congressional action on the agreements.

COA's Director of Government Relations Brian Wanko writes that Congress has the opportunity to make a lasting impact on Latin America's prosperity and development by supporting free-trade agreements with Panama, Peru, and Colombia.

In remarks to the Baker Institute's Americas Project, COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth discussed pending U.S.-Latin American trade agreements and the need for Washington to refocus on inter-American relations.

In a Latin Business Chronicle op-ed, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper notes his country's ongoing free trade negotiations with Colombia and expresses concern over delays in U.S. approval of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

In an op-ed to the Miami Herald, Senator Richard Lugar urges Congress to support Colombia's efforts to boost security by passing free-trade legislation.