Jailed Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo López should be set free say politicians and pundits, but Venezuela denies former presidents of the region a visit to the political prisoner; critics say that the democrats of the region have let the people of Venezuela down.

The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) celebrated its third summit in Bethlehem, Costa Rica though some of its hosts wondered about its usefulness; poverty was on the agenda; Uruguay’s José Mujica criticized capitalism and emphasized peace in the Americas, while Bolivia’s Evo Morales called on the Colombian guerrillas to embrace democracy. 

Uruguayan president Jose Mujica defended Brazil’s leadership in Latin America, but still insisted that while Brazil seems large to its neighbors, the region is still small in global terms. 

Six years in and what impact has CAFTA had on Costa Rica? 

Dominican Republic’s Defense Ministry has “sealed” the border with Haiti, given its political instability, “with heightened patrols by highly trained troops, ready to act against any adversity.” 

Bolivia’s President Evo Morales said that his country’s claim against Chile, brought before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), is going “very well,” and that Bolivia will wait “patiently” for the outcome.  Chilean President Michelle Bachelet decides not to attend Morales’ third inauguration as President due to her “tight international schedule,” and Bolivia and Peru

Grapes, yellow underwear and packed suitcases are just a few of the ways in which Latin Americans initiate the New Year.

Following his visit to neighboring Brazil, Jorge Capitanich said that the Cristina Fernández de Kirchner administration wants to “invigorate trade relations” with Argentina’s top regional partner while admitting a drop in the “volume of transactions.” 

Bolivia’s demand that Chile grant it access to the Pacific Ocean continues to spark commentary.

A traveling group of Central American mothers made a final stop in Mexico City, with some of them visiting the Northern Male Detention Center and others going to the Universidad Iberoamericana.