Experts discuss Latin America, as part of a series on the U.S. presidential inbox that examines the major issues confronting the administration in the foreign policy arena.

Julia Sweig examines Vice President Biden's upcoming trip to Brazil, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Julia Sweig reflects on Brazil's new domestic workers law.

The Venezuelan revolutionary Simon Bolívar has a remarkably elastic legacy. Ever since his death in 1830, Latin American politicians across the political spectrum have claimed to be his rightful heir. What Bolívar left behind, it turns out, was less a coherent set of ideas than an abstract vision of Latin American unity -- a vision that remains impossible today.

Venezuela's next leader must confront rampant crime, economic distortions, and political divisions. This Issue Guide provides background and analysis on Sunday's election and the post-Chávez era.

Julia Sweig looks at Venezuela's upcoming presidential election through the lens of advertisements.

The recent announcement of a BRICS development bank raised many questions. Isobel Coleman writes about the potential structure and purpose of the BRICS development bank and its implications for international development and the global economy.

Elliott Abrams provides his insight as former secretary of state for Latin America and reviews the Chilean film, "NO," which is set during the Pinochet presidency.

The Brazilian government faces a number of challenges and opportunities concerning its economic forecast in the coming years. After peaking at 7.5 percent growth in 2010, Brazil's recent economic slowdown has caused worry that the dream of a new high-growth economy had slipped out of reach.

Read full answer

The death of Hugo Chávez leaves much uncertainty in Venezuela. But Shannon O'Neil says stronger ties with the United States may be on the horizon.

Julia E. Sweig discusses Hugo Chavez's impact in Latin America.

Julia Sweig discusses the appointment of Miguel Diaz-Canel, the new first vice president of Cuba and the "name and the face of the Post-Castro era."

Since 1988, Brazilians have cleared more than 153,000 square miles of Amazonian rain forest, devastating the environment and driving global climate change forward ever faster. Recently, however, Brazil has changed its course, reducing the rate of deforestation by 83 percent since 2004. At the same time, it has become a test case for a controversial international climate-change prevention strategy that places a monetary value on the carbon stored in forests.

Despite changes in both U.S. and Cuban leadership since early 2008, experts do not anticipate any normalization of U.S.-Cuba relations in the near to medium term.

Julia E. Sweig argues that the post-Castro era was ushered in by Raul Castro's implementation of new reforms on the island.

The argument for sustained U.S. diplomatic engagement with Havana has never been more compelling, says CFR's Julia Sweig.

Michael Shifter, president of the Inter-American Dialogue, discusses the influence of the United States on common and organized crime in Central America, and offers policy recommendations for what the United States could do domestically and internationally to mitigate the violence.

Julia E. Sweig argues the United States has been a marginal actor in Latin America, but this could change in the Obama administration's second term.

Julia E. Sweig argues that Hugo Chavez never fulfilled his more ambitious plans for the region, but the polarizing Venezuelan leader can take at least partial credit for helping redefine South America's institutional architecture.

Julia E. Sweig argues that President Obama has an opportunity to revitalize U.S. relations with its neighbors to the south.