With litigation ongoing over Bolivian access to the Pacific Ocean through Chilean land, diplomatic relations remain shaky between the two parties involved. 

Certain groups will not be allowed in Venezuela this December during voter season to ensure ethical electoral practices.  Venezuela will instead invite international entities from other parts of the world.

In spite of major criticism from human rights organizations and damaged diplomatic relations with Colombia, Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro said he will keep the border closed indefinitely, claiming that “terrorism” has been diminished significantly.  

Although crime lurks throughout the Northern Triangle of Central America, Guatemala and Honduras are beginning to see a slight decrease in their numbers of homicides, but El Salvador, whose truce with the gangs has broken down, sees an index on the rise.

Expressions of solidarity from three governments in the region have upset Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.

In the wake of defending the Bolivian cause at the Second World Conference on Climate Change and Life Defense, President Evo Morales asked Chile to stop threatening and blackmailing, which it also does against the Pope and the U.N.

The authorities of the Argentine Central Bank and the Chinese People’s Bank pledged to start negotiations to update their currency swap. 

Colombia and Panama have given themselves another 60 days to find ways to confront Colombian tax evasion through Panamanian banks. 

President Morales said he spoke with the International Development Bank (IDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and the CAF Development Bank of Latin America about doing a study to explore the economic benefits that would result if Chile were to give Bolivia sovereign access to the sea.

International tensions flared as Venezuela’s Chancellor, Delcy Rodríguez, decried a recent IACHR report as “biased” and “distorting the truth.”