While some journalists reporting in Latin America face threats to personal security, others deal with official intimidation in what some warn could roll back hard-won press freedoms. But governments and journalists have also taken steps to ensure greater access to information.

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.

"If the United States is going to be a partner with Latin America—a healthy and laudable goal—the aspiring powers of the hemisphere need to shake off their timidity and worn-out rhetoric," write AS/COA's Senior Director of Policy Christopher Sabatini and Kissinger Associates' Stephanie Junger-Moat.

South American leaders met Monday in Quito for a UNASUR summit, where they debated action on a probable U.S.-Colombian military pact. Though not present at the summit, Colombia’s President Álvaro Uribe visited seven countries last week to clarify the deal’s terms.

Once again, Caracas iced ties with Bogota and suggested it would look elsewhere for imports. The move came in response to Colombian allegations that Venezuelan arms fell into guerrilla hands. An AS/COA news analysis looks at Colombian trade relations with its neighbor and regional partners.

Uribe. Chávez. Correa. Is re-election such a bad thing?

The integrity of the human rights system rests on civil society organizations.