Given the Venezuelan president’s health, concerns over the future of preferential oil agreements have emerged in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica—the three largest Petrocaribe recipients.

Danilo Medina won the presidential election in the first round due to good campaigning and the legacy of one of his biggest supporters.

"There isn't a young, fresh, new voice," says COA's Eric Farnsworth about the two presidential candidates of the upcoming Dominican Republic elections, adding "So what you have is both candidates trying to position themselves as the one who is most competent and trustworthy to run the government."

Dominicans cast their votes for president on Sunday, giving the incumbent party candidate enough votes to avoid a runoff. But the opposition candidate refused to concede, alleging vote-buying fraud.

A large diaspora vote could influence the Dominican Republic’s May 20 election. The same may not be true for the Mexican and Venezuelan elections to be held this year.

A U.S.-funded naval base has been a source of debate in the Dominican Republic at a time when the country faces mounting drug-trafficking woes.

AS/COA previews major events and key players in the coming year. Crucial elections are taking place in the Americas in 2012, as well as important global summits.