AS/COA News Analysis

Sebastian Piñera pulled in 44 percent of the vote in Chile's December 13 elections against ex-president Eduardo Frei and newcomer Marco Enríquez-Ominami. His victory marks the first by a conservative since the fall of Augusto Pinochet. With no candidate securing the necessary majority, a runoff is set for January.

A Venezuelan cabinet member resigned in recent days after authorities arrested his brother in connection to a banking scandal. Caracas shuttered seven small banks in recent weeks.

President Evo Morales won December 6 elections by pulling in roughly 35 percent more votes than his top rival. Moreover, his Movement Toward Socialism political party gained control of the Senate to gain a congressional majority.

Hondurans headed to the polls November 29 to elect Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo as the next president. But, with hemispheric leaders divided over whether to recognize the outcome and questions remaining about the restitution of a deposed president, the country's political fate remains unclear.

Uruguayans chose José "Pepe" Mujica of the governing party as their next president in November 29 roundoff elections.The high approval ratings of the current administration likely gave an electoral boost to Mujica, a former guerilla who pledged to follow his predecessor's path and identified Brazil's president as his model.

A compromise by Senate Democrats in the new health care reform bill would limit access to some new medical plans for undocumented and legal immigrants. Critics say resulting emergency care costs will be passed along to taxpayers and insurance policyholders.

By the end of the month, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will have played host to Israeli, Palestinian, and Iranian leaders as he lifts Brazil’s profile on Middle East policy. But the November 23 visit of Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad raises eyebrows, given global concerns over Tehran's nuclear program.