How Will Arturo Valenzuela Approach Hemispheric Policy?

If confirmed as assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, Arturo Valenzuela will bring a cerebral, deliberative style to the process.

Che in 2-D

There are objective truths about Che Guevara, but telling them would expose a man who sowed mayhem in the service of an awful cause.

Heading Off Another "Lost Decade" in Latin America

What Obama does to put the United States' own house in order will benefit our neighbors more than anything he can do right now for the region.

From Democracy to Dictatorship

Chávez's march toward dictatorship began a decade ago. It is almost complete.

Election Could Hand Power to Leftists

The conservative ruling party in El Salvador is waging a surprisingly uphill battle against the leftist front that waged a bloody guerrilla war in the 1970s and 1980s.

President Obama: South America's New Partner

Barack Obama could improve relations with Latin America by strengthening ties with President Lula in Brazil.

The Real Stimulus That Brazil Needs

The only way for Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to consolidate his legacy in the wake of the financial crisis is to push long-term structural reforms and investments in human capital.

A Message to Obama: How to Be a "Good Neighbor"

By avoiding simple mistakes, investing political capital in trade, and getting serious about security challenges, Obama could be off to a promising start in the Western Hemisphere.

Un mensaje para Obama: Cómo ser un "buen vecino"

United States Shouldn't Ignore Ortega's Power Grab

If the Nicaraguan people stand up to Daniel Ortega, they will begin to turn back the tide of authoritarian populism that threatens the future of Latin America.

United States Foreign Policy and Strategic Dimensions

The provocations of Hugo Chávez have stirred the public consciousness, causing a new appraisal of U.S. foreign policy and strategic interests in Latin America.

Chávez Wrecks Venezuela, Democracy

Venezuelans and their Latin American neighbors are paying the price for Hugo Chávez's corruption and imperialist project.

Chvez Wrecks Venezuela, Democracy

Venezuelans and their Latin American neighbors are paying the price for Hugo Chávez's corruption and imperialist project.

Legado ou Complacência?

The End of the Bolivarian Age

Hugo Chavez's power is deteriorating in part due to his own errors.

El Fin de la Era Bolivariana

Los círculos de poder de Hugo Chávez se deterioran, como consecuencia de los propios errores del presidente venezolano.

Legacy or Complacency?

Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has made impressive strides during his tenure, but he owes it to his people to take on lingering economic and political reforms.

¿Qué pasa si Estados Unidos estornuda y América Latina no se resfría?

Should a U.S. President Meet with Hugo Chavez or Raul Castro?

There are far worthier leaders for Barack Obama to meet with than Raul Castro or Hugo Chavez--take Colombia's Alvaro Uribe, for example.

What if the United States Sneezed and Latin America Didn't Catch a Cold?

Latin American and Caribbean economies, usually susceptible to international financial turmoil, are especially vulnerable to even minor tremors in U.S. markets.

Should the U.S. Try to Reassert Its Influence in Latin America?

Latin America shouldsee the United States advancing its positive values and defendingits natural interests, instead of assuming that it isindifferent to the challengesthe region faces.

¡Oh, hermano! Otro Castro se aferra al poder en Cuba

Oh, Brother! Another Castro Clings to Power in Cuba

The Castro regime's survival depends on ruthless Stalinist coercion, and the Cuban people would be better off with its early demise.

Ricochet in the Andes

The fallout from Colombia's recent military strike may cause the downfall of Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez.

The Americas and the 2008 Elections

The 2008 elections afford the United States new opportunities to engage its hemispheric neighbors.

Lula Can Make 2008 a Very Good Year

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silvais a much more apposite choice for 2007's "person of the year."

Lula Can Make 2008 a Very Good Year

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silvais a much more apposite choice for 2007's "person of the year."

Por fin, ahora se conocerá la verdad

Now, the Truth Will Emerge

Argentine president Cristina Kirchner's term in office is getting off to a bumpy start.

The End of Hurricane Hugo?

Chávez may have sown the seeds of his own destruction.

No Crime, No Punishment

The United States must not surrender Sánchez de Lozada to the politically extreme Bolivian president Evo Morales.

Un nuevo presidente, un nuevo paradigma

A New President, a New Paradigm

The new president will have a big opportunity to reshape U.S.-Latin American relations. Here is what he (or she) should do.

Alberto Fujimori's Extradition to Peru

Alberto Fujimori accomplished much, but tarnished his legacy by serving himself.

Cómo ayudar a ganar la guerra en nuestro umbral

¿Si no brindamos a México la ayuda sustancial que necesita para luchar contra las mafias de droga que aterran al país, que ocurriráa nuestra frontera sur?

It's Our Drug War, Too

How America and Mexico can defeat the cartels.

Helping Win the War on Our Doorstep

Unless we help Mexicoin battling the deadly drug syndicates that terrorize that nation, we may soon find our southern border more unmanageable than ever.

¿El fin de la solidaridad democrática en las Américas?

Los países de América Latina parecen haber abandonado el ideal fraterno de la solidaridad interamericana.

The End of Democratic Solidarity in the Americas?

Is democratic solidarity in Latin America at risk?

Una solución a nuestro problema de inmigración

¿Cómo puede el gobierno reformar nuestros problemas de inmigración?

Uribe Deserves Respect

Al Gore insulted Colombia by cancelling his appearance at a magazine forum with President Uribe.

Solving Our Immigration Problem

The thorny issue of immigration may yet prove to be a winner for President George W. Bush.

Colombia's Success, Bush's Support

President Bush gets little credit for successes in Latin America--but his policy on Colombia is worthy of approval.

Cuba, para los cubanos

¿Que ocurre después de la muerte de Fidel Castro?

Let Cuba Be Cuban Again

What will happen to Cuba after the death of Fidel Castro?

La lucha por el futuro

Mientras que la atención del mundo está centrada en la lucha contra Irak y el ascenso de China, se está librando una batalla por el alma de las Américas más cerca de nuestro país.

Struggle for the Future

While the world’s attention is focused on a struggling Iraq and a rising China, a battle for the heart and soul of the Americas is being waged closer to home.

What Kind of a Leader is Chavez?

Hugo Chavez has consolidated his power in the Venezuela, but his authority may have already crested.

Chile: Gateway Country

Chile is the platform for Latin America to the rest of the world, both economically and politically.

What Would an Ortega Victory Mean for U.S.-Nicaragua Relations?

Sandinista and U.S. nemesis Daniel Ortega is the frontrunner going into Nicaragua's presidential election this Sunday. What would his victory mean for U.S.-Nicaragua relations?

El sector energético en las Américas: dos visiones

Si no se realiza de inmediato un esfuerzo conjunto entre gobierno e industria, llegaremos a ver que algunos países con gran potencial adoptan modelos estatistas.

Nicaragua: Daniel Ortega nuevamente al poder

Mientras los nicaragüenses se preparan para votar en las elecciones presidenciales de su país el próximo 5 de noviembre, el dictador sandinista Daniel Ortega encabeza las encuestas en medio de un escenario dividido.

Renew ATPDEA Now

Renewal of the Andean Trade Preferences and Drug Eradication Act will clearly advance the U.S. partnership in the Andes and further blunt Hugo Chavez's anti-American offensive.

Back by Unpopular Demand: Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega

One of the cornerstones of Latin (and particularly Central) America's democratic transformation is sliding back toward the abyss.

Back by Unpopular Demand

Elected leaders of the five small Central American nations are working together to fortify a promising partnership based on free people and free markets in Nicaragua.

La última oportunidad de México

Si la clase política falla, habrá sacrificado el futuro de México, con lo que el vecino de Estados Unidos, lejos de ser un socio próspero, se transformaría en un problema crónico.

Venezuela bajo Chávez

Quizás, la interpretación más benévola sobre el presidente de Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, es que se trata de un hombre que quiere ayudar a la mayoría pobre de su país, a la que se ha descuidado durante mucho tiempo.

Mexico’s Last Chance

How will Mexico's recent election--and the possibility of a nationwide recount--affect the country's future?

What Would a Democratic Congress Mean for US Latin American Policy?

On the key issues where Congress has an important role to play in foreign policy, a Democratic takeover of the House or Senate would be an unfortunate development for Latin America.

Chile and the Security Council

Effective collective diplomacy requires disciplined teamwork.

Venezuela under Chavez

Historians will likelylook back onthe present period of Venezuelan history and write of "Chavez the dictator" or of "Chavez the would-be dictator."

United Democrats Can Save Nicaragua, Again

With Chavez pumping millions into the Sandinista coffers, it is essential that Nicaragua's democrats give full and united backing behind a single candidate.

Lurch to the Left Oversimplifies the Story

The future of Latin America--and its progressive lurch to the Left--rests in its voters' hands.

Two Visions of Energy in the Americas

One way to reduce reliance on "unstable" sources of energy would be to encourage resource-rich nations in the Western Hemisphere to adopt sound policies for developing their oil and gas industries.

Rays of Hope for Haiti's Future

Not too many men in Haiti's bloody history have had more than one chance to be president. Leslie Manigat and René Prévalare are obviously willing to try.

Launching an "Opportunity Partnership" in the Americas

Governments in the Americas should work together to launch an “Opportunity Partnership” that would sustain a reform agenda and alleviate the region’s chronic poverty.

Lanzamiento de la iniciativa de una “Alianza de Oportunidades” en las Américas

Estados Unidos ha recorrido el mundo en busca de soluciones para los desafíos de nuestra seguridad y prosperidad, pero existe una gran oportunidad de hallar estas soluciones aquí cerca.

Good, Orderly Elections Are Worth Waiting For

We must all consider the calamity that will ensue if elections do not satisfy the will of the majority of the Haitian people whowant to choose a government that will not abuse them.

The Summit of the Americas

Leaders at the November 2005 Summit of the Americas must concentrate on deepening democracy, expanding economic opportunities, and strengthening the rule of law.