Central American security concerns were on the agenda during the U.S. president’s March 22 stop in San Salvador. His visit coincides with plans to bump up funding for the region’s struggle against rising gang-related violence.

"The United States faces a new moment in the Americas: no longer can we take economic partnership or political influence for granted," writes COA's Eric Farnsworth for The Huffington Post.

"A successful trip could be measured as one in which Obama and the leaders of the visited countries better understand the shared vision before us," writes AS/COA President and CEO Susan Segal in an article about President Barack Obama's March 19-23 trip.

With President Obama set to commence a five-day, Latin American tour on March 19, AS/COA offers coverage and analysis to shine a light on priorities for his first presidential visit to Central and South America.

U.S. President Barack Obama heads to Latin America from March 19 to 23, visiting Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador. COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth talks with AS/COA Online about why Obama chose those three countries, the trip’s timing, and the White House's top priorities for the tour.

U.S. President Barack Obama meets with heads of state from four Latin American countries in March—first when Mexican President Felipe Calderón visits Washington, followed by Obama's tour of Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador later in the month. AS/COA Online explores topics on the agenda in each case.

Central American leaders gathered in San Salvador July 20 to coordinate strategies for stemming the rising tide of violence caused by organized crime, particularly in the “northern triangle” of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.