Violence in Bagua, Peru claimed dozens of lives when indigenous groups clashed with police forces because of a dispute over laws related to land and resources. Conflicting reports emerged over which side is responsible, the number of fatalities, and foreign involvement.

After a 15-month "mega-trial," a Peruvian court found former President Alberto Fujimori guilty of human rights abuses. The verdict makes him the first democratically elected leader in Latin America convicted in a human rights case in his home country.

Council of the Americas hosted former Peruvian Ambassador to the United States Eduardo Ferrero to discuss the Andean country's economic and political outlook in the context of the global financial downturn.

By striking free-trade agreements with Colombia and Peru, "Canada is taking a leadership role in the logical and inevitable move toward freer trade," writes Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin.

Facing a global financial crisis, 21 leaders met in Lima to caution against protectionism and call for resumption of the Doha Round of trade talks. The APEC summit also served as U.S. President George W. Bush's last scheduled trip abroad, where he pressed for “free markets, free trade, and free people.”

Chinese President Hu Jintao's trip to Latin America helps cement Beijing's growing relationship with the region. After the G20 summit and before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in Lima, Hu traveled to Costa Rica and Cuba.

In the aftermarth of a corruption scandal, President Alan García reshuffled his cabinet. Both corruption and protecting the economy stand at the top of the presidential agenda.