South American nations are more dependent on global commodity markets than the Caribbean, Central America or Mexico, whose fortunes are more closely linked to the strengthening U.S. economy.
Venezuela's opposition launched an offensive Wednesday against President Nicolás Maduro at its first full session in control of the legislature, having vowed to oust him within six months.
Central American human rights ombudsmen say they'll closely monitor the treatment of thousands of Cuban migrants set to travel from Costa Rica to the U.S.-Mexico border.
A Cuban migrant's death from the AH1N1 virus has alarmed authorities in Panama, where nearly 1,000 Cubans are stranded near the border with Costa Rica.
Central America's so-called Northern Triangle -- Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras -- recorded a total of 17,422 murders in 2015, 11 percent higher than for 2014, according to preliminary police tallies.
