Over the past few years, abortion laws have changed significantly in several Latin American countries as governments respond both to the high number of unsafe procedures and demands for greater restrictions by the Catholic Church.

Peruvian President Alan García joined AS/COA on November 3 for the fourth annual conference in Lima, where speakers examined Peru’s economic successes in the face of a global financial downturn.

New data shows the global economic downturn has hurt trade in Latin America, with exports expected to decrease through 2009. Still, despite signs of the crisis, some bright spots shine.

A free trade deal that adds Peru to Canada's Latin American trade network came into effect August 1. The agreement eliminates tariffs on more than 95 percent of goods and eases Canadian access to several sectors of Peru’s economy.

Alejandro Toledo, the former president of Peru, reflects on institution building in Peru and the role of the Inter-American system in defending human rights and democracy. Read this feature from the Summer 2009 issue of Americas Quarterly.