At this event, panelists discussed the depth of the Venezuela-Iran relationship, and how should the United States react to the growing threat.

The panelists will discuss the drug threat posed by cartels and propose recommendations for Mexico in doing its share in the war on drugs.

Faced with the likelihood of spreading violence and Iranian influence in Iraq and throughout the Middle East, will the next president make the hard choices to confront those threats to American national security, or will he or she seek to remain aloof?

Costa Rica’s leadership has been capitalizing on the opportunities created by the free trade agreement with the United States. For all the talk of China’s growing shadow in the Americas, with a typical country like Costa Rica, the United States is its No. 1 trade partner – by far, and for the foreseeable future.

Bipartisan oversight in the new Congress should develop a sensible policy toward Latin America that addresses Mexico's antidrug campaign, Hugo Chávez's hostile regime, free trade with Colombia, and relations with Brazil and Cuba.

In Ecuador, operating under the radar, Rafael Correa is imposing his own autocratic vision for his country's path to salvation.

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.