Andean Region

The U.S. Senate passed the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement December 4 by an overwhelming majority of 77-18. The Senate’s approval , along with the House of Representative’s strong vote last month, signals Congress' committment to providing a fair and favorable business climate that will provide jobs and economic growth in both countries.

COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth writes that Iran's deepening ties with some Latin American nations could have destabilizing consequences. But he emphasizes that Iran's foray into the Americas serves as an opportunity for nations of the Western Hemisphere to work together in support of democratic principles.

In remarks to the Baker Institute's Americas Project, COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth discussed pending U.S.-Latin American trade agreements and the need for Washington to refocus on inter-American relations.

Alberto Saracho Martinez, executive director of Fundación IDEA, uses the new Institutional Quality Index to show that economic growth and citizen well-being hinge on respect for basic freedoms. IDEA is one of 18 Latin American think tanks that came together to develop and recently launch the index.

To explore energy policy in the Andean Region, with a specific focus on Colombia, the Americas Society and Council of the Americas convened media and public sector experts to look at energy reform, energy integration, and oil production and exploration. This summary provides an overview of the main points from the discussion.

Driven by energy security and environmental concerns, global calls for greater biofuel production will involve important trade-offs. With Brazil and the U.S. jointly producing 70 percent of the world's ethanol supply, panelists highlighted possibilities for greater bilateral cooperation.

Just over a month after the last of the newly elected Andean leaders took office, AS/COA convened private and public sector experts to analyze the direction of the region. All agreed that the Andes are at a historic moment, both politically and economically.