A year and a half after cutting diplomatic relations, Bogota and Quito's efforts to repair ties are showing signs of progress. Foreign ministers from each country met Friday to continue talks.

The White House predicts little movement on comprehensive immigration reform before 2010. The ailing economy taking up much of the Obama administration’s time has shown its impact in immigration and remittances as well.

South American leaders met Monday in Quito for a UNASUR summit, where they debated action on a probable U.S.-Colombian military pact. Though not present at the summit, Colombia’s President Álvaro Uribe visited seven countries last week to clarify the deal’s terms.

Uribe. Chávez. Correa. Is re-election such a bad thing?

Though facing a financially tough 2009, President Rafael Correa won Sunday’s vote. His government unveiled a controversial debt buyback plan a week before the election.

Diplomatic relations between Bogota and Quito remain distant despite efforts from the international community to mend them. Moreover, criminal and terrorist groups may take advantage of the situation along the border.