Council of the Americas organized an October 29 bipartisan discussion on Capitol Hill concerning the role of trade in building stronger partnerships, economic and job recovery, and broad-based development in the Western Hemisphere.

Colombia's Defense Minister Gabriel Silva indicated that a pending U.S.-Colombian military deal could be signed this week. The pact allows U.S. military troops access to seven bases in Colombia and has drawn concern from some South American countries, particularly neighboring Venezuela.

By 2050, Hispanics will account for 30 percent of the U.S. population, making their integration a top policy priority.

Presidents Barack Obama and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made their case to the Olympics Committee in Copenhagen on Friday as Chicago and Rio vied to host the 2016 Summer Games. But only one of the popular leaders could return home with a victory in hand. Rio will be the first South American host of the Olympics.

A new report issued by the Maryland Council for New Americans recognizes that that the state “needs the contributions of immigrants.”

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited the Oval Office this week to talk security, trade, energy, and hockey. Ottawa's discomfort with "Buy American" provisions also caused Harper to make a rare trip to Capitol Hill, where he met with U.S. congressional leaders.

The State Department took new measures, including a cut of over $30 million in aid, to pressure the de facto government in Honduras toward resolving the political impasse stemming from the coup. The Central American country faces increasing economic isolation since the June overthrow of President Manuel Zelaya.