Glance at politics in Latin America

SOUTH AMERICA:

_Argentina: center-left, accuses U.S. of interference in regional affairs.

_Brazil: center-left, economic competitor of U.S., but also cooperates on promoting biofuels and other policies.

_Bolivia: socialist, ally of anti-U.S. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

_Paraguay: president-elect is center-left, no record yet.

_Chile: center-left, embraces free trade with United States.

_Ecuador: leftist, ally of Chavez, clashes with U.S. corporations.

_Uruguay: center-left, seeks freer trade with U.S.

_Peru: center-right, sometimes feuds with Chavez.

_Venezuela: socialist, along with Cuba, the most hostile toward U.S. government.

_Colombia: conservative, free-market government and a major recipient of U.S. aid.

CENTRAL AMERICA:

_Panama: centrist, close historic ties with U.S.

_Costa Rica: centrist, backs free trade with U.S., large U.S. investments.

_Honduras: center-left, close historic ties with U.S.

_Nicaragua: leftist, often denounces U.S. influence, but welcomes U.S. aid.

_El Salvador: conservative, only country in Americas with troops aiding U.S. in Iraq.

_Guatemala: center-left, close historic ties with U.S.

NORTH AMERICA:

_Mexico: conservative, defends free trade pact with U.S. government while criticizing treatment of migrants.

CARIBBEAN:

_Cuba: communist, has feuded with U.S. since 1959.

_Dominican Republic: centrist, close historic ties with U.S.

_Haiti: center-left, depends heavily on U.S. and other aid.