"The U.S. government is clearly trying to demonstrate a new, more fluid relationship with some elements of the [Cuban] regime," says AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini.

Mexico's President Felipe Calderón traveled to Cuba April 11 to restore frayed relations. Heralding a “renewed phase” in bilateral ties, the president’s agenda focused on trade and cooperation.

Americas Society is proud to announce that for the second year we have received a grant from The Christopher Reynolds Foundation to support Americas Society’s Cuba Working Group.

The pope's visit to Mexico and Cuba will draw worldwide attention to the dramatic progress Latin America has made in recent years, as well as the progress that yet remains to be made, writes COA's Eric Farnsworth for The Huffington Post.

The pope travels to Mexico and Cuba at the end of the month. As both countries prepare to welcome the pontiff, not everyone is happy with his agenda.