More than two weeks after his surprise return, deposed leader Manuela Zelaya remains confined in the Brazilian Embassy. While the power dispute goes on in Honduras, a conflict over Washington's position on the crisis heats up in U.S. Congress.

This AS/COA Miami panel offers insights into how the economic crisis offers Mexico a chance to effect positive policy changes. Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Arturo Sarukhan was a keynote speaker.

"Washington may have blocked the most likely road to reconciliation in that Central American nation," writes COA's Eric Farnsworth in The Christian Science Monitor. The State Department said it would not support November elections if carried out by Honduras' de facto government.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited the Oval Office this week to talk security, trade, energy, and hockey. Ottawa's discomfort with "Buy American" provisions also caused Harper to make a rare trip to Capitol Hill, where he met with U.S. congressional leaders.

The State Department took new measures, including a cut of over $30 million in aid, to pressure the de facto government in Honduras toward resolving the political impasse stemming from the coup. The Central American country faces increasing economic isolation since the June overthrow of President Manuel Zelaya.

The White House predicts little movement on comprehensive immigration reform before 2010. The ailing economy taking up much of the Obama administration’s time has shown its impact in immigration and remittances as well.

"If the United States is going to be a partner with Latin America—a healthy and laudable goal—the aspiring powers of the hemisphere need to shake off their timidity and worn-out rhetoric," write AS/COA's Senior Director of Policy Christopher Sabatini and Kissinger Associates' Stephanie Junger-Moat.