President Obama's trip to Brazil hit many new and positive notes, signaling the great potential for boosting ties between the region's two largest economies and democracies, writes CFR's Julia Sweig.

President Obama's trip to Brazil provides an opportunity for the two countries to reestablish their relationship, setting the stage for future agreements on trade, infrastructure, and foreign policy, says expert Matias Spektor.

Julia E. Sweig and Matias Spektor say that on his visit to Brazil, President Obama will encounter a transformed nation - and an opportunity to build a genuine partnership.

Mauricio Cardenas rejects common misconceptions about Latin America and explains why the a relationship with the region would be beneficial in the long-term.

From March 19 to March 23, President Obama will make his first official visit to South America, stopping in Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador. Latin American experts Julia Sweig and Shannon O'Neil discuss the Obama administration's goals for this visit and opportunities to strengthen the U.S.-South America relationship.

President Obama's Upcoming Trip to South America and Opportunities to Strengthen The U.S.-South America Relationship

Joel D. Hirst discusses the hunger strike by nine Venezuelan students and their demand for action by the Organization of American States (OAS) on the state of democracy in Venezuela.

Dora Beszterczey and Shannon K. O'Neil say the best crime fighting strategy in Latin America may be improving economic opportunities for all.

Joel D. Hirst says an opportunity exists for the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS) to address Venezuela's faltering democracy.

Latin Americans must look in the mirror and confront the reality that many of our problems lie not in our stars but in ourselves. Only then will the region finally attain the development it has so long sought.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is pushing through a series of laws that will effectively quell legal means to opposition, a move that Washington must challenge, says CFR's Joel Hirst.

Joel D. Hirst discusses how the Bolivarian Alliance of the Americas (ALBA) has taken shape in the six years since its creation.

Joel D. Hirst discusses Hugo Chavez's attacks against Globovision, the only independent television news station left in Venezuel.

Joel D. Hirst says the decision by Colombia to send drug kingpin Walid Makled to Venezuala and not the United States is a mistake, but one that can be corrected.