COA hosted an event with the Mayor of Caracas Antonio Ledezma Díaz as well as governors from the Venezuelan states of Zulia, Táchira, and Miranda. Watch the video.

Speaking at a luncheon hosted by AS/COA on June 24, Mayor of Caracas Antonio Ledezma Díaz said that the opposition in Venezuela must reorganize its ranks and mobilize for the 2012 presidential elections. (en español)

Venezuela took steps to nationalize assets of dozens of oil-service companies, expanding the state firm's control of the oil industry. Caracas faces declining revenues resulting from a global oil price slump.

President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad canceled his trip this week to Brazil, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Still, Tehran's deepening ties raise questions about Iranian relations with Latin America.

Diplomatic relations between Bogota and Quito remain distant despite efforts from the international community to mend them. Moreover, criminal and terrorist groups may take advantage of the situation along the border.

A Colombian cross-border raid on a FARC camp in Ecuador broke down diplomatic relations between the Andean neighbors in March 2008. The two countries have yet to reconcile a year later. Still, their economic ties continue to grow and Bogota appears to have the FARC on the run.