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.

In the wake of a corruption scandal, Peru’s President Alan García moved quickly to choose a new prime minister who could help him build consensus and boost his approval ratings, which remain low in spite of the country’s economic expansion in recent years.

AS/COA hosted its annual conference in Lima on September 4, featuring a remarks by President Alan García, Prime Minister Jorge del Castillo, and Foreign Affairs Minister José Antonio García Belaunde. Read a summary of the event.

Several economies in Latin America have thus far shown signs of being able to weather the U.S. credit crunch. Peru serves as a prime example, posting impressive growth results. 

In recent weeks, Ottawa proved its growing clout in Latin America through a visit from Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, the approval of a trade pact with Peru, and completion of free-trade negotiations with Colombia.