With elections scheduled in seven Latin American countries, 2014 will be a year of significant political developments in the region. As we enter 2014, Gateway House examines the important events that defined Latin American politics and economy in 2013

The death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, election of President Michelle Bachelet in Chile, reforms in Mexico and the legalisation of cannabis in Uruguay have implications for the Latin American region. Gateway House examines how these will shape the region’s politics and economy in the coming years

The return of the Left after four years, with the election this week of Michelle Bachelet as the president of Chile, will not mean any drastic change of direction. Chile has the most stable democracy and dynamic market in Latin America, and its Left can become a model for other countries, including India

The elections in Honduras returned to power the right-wing National Party. In contrast to the policies of other Latin American governments, in Honduras, one of the poorest countries in the region, poverty alleviation is not a priority for the conservatives. Will president-elect Juan Hernandez address this problem?

In ‘India-Latin America: An Alliance for the Future,’ Soraya Caro questions the mutually distorted perceptions between Indians and Latin Americans, and offers a new multi-dimensional lens for looking at bilateral ties

India’s oil imports from Latin America increased from 4.5% in 2003 to 11% in 2012-13. This marks a diversification in India’s energy policy. With Latin America’s surplus energy production and discoveries in off-shore oil fields, India must further consolidate its oil trade with the region

In 'India-Latin America Engagements', the Latin America Desk at Gateway House presents a selection of news of India’s engagement with the region during the previous month

According to the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Latin American region is expected to grow at 3% in 2013. Although the growth appears modest, it is not bad given the GDP contraction in the Eurozone in the past two years and the lower growth rates in the rest of the world

In 'Latin America Update' Gateway House lists some of the important events in Latin America over the past month

Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid’s February 5 visit to Chile and Argentina is emblematic of the new era in Indo-Latin America relations. What does this increased engagement mean for India and Chile, two rapidly growing economies of the Global South?