Significant improvements in the security environment are likely in Colombia, where, barring significant delays, the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) militant group is expected to demobilise in the first half of the year.
As negotiations between opposition and government representatives look set to collapse, resolving Venezuela's political deadlock and growing economic problems largely depends on the military's next move, writes Lloyd Belton.
Although Colombia's Congress has now passed the renegotiated FARC peace deal, a number of significant hurdles remain before it can be implemented, writes Lloyd Belton.
While touted as a holistic approach to the region's gang problem, the latest tri-national anti-crime initiative in Central America is unlikely to succeed, writes Lloyd Belton.
With little evidence to suggest that Islamic State has the capacity to stage a coordinated attack against the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Brazilian authorities have focused counter-terrorism preparations on the lone-actor threat, writes Lloyd Belton.
2016 has seen a significant rise in violent crime ahead of the Olympics. However, street crime and express kidnappings remain the predominant threats to foreign nationals amid a heightened security force presence in Rio, writes Lloyd Belton
The Macri government's new security strategy is being tested by a recent spate of kidnappings in Buenos Aires, writes Lloyd Belton.
Police and government corruption, coupled with growing economic and political tensions, are fuelling a security crisis in Venezuela, writes Lloyd Belton
Venezuela's political and economic crisis is reaching a breaking point and the army will likely be key to ending the deadlock, writes Lloyd Belton.
Rousseff's likely impeachment does not spell the end of Brazil's economic and political challenges. Lloyd Belton explores the likely consequences
This article originally appeared in InSight Crime on 9 February 2016:http://www.insightcrime.org/news-analysis/rio-olympics-prospects-for-next-round-favela-occupations