There have been a number of developments in Latin America that on the surface appear to be great challenges for the United States. Venezuala's president Hugo Chavez has emerged as a leader of a new anti-American movement, welcoming trade deals with Iran and hosting new military ventures with Russia. Bolivia has also signed billion dollar trade deals with Iran to develop natural gas and oil resources. In a new essay posted to the American Diplomacy website, Hal Brands reviews the current state of U.S. relations with Latin America and finds reasons for optimism. Looking forward to the challenges that the next president will face, he identifies five “essential tasks” for the U.S. to accomplish in order to maintain positive U.S.-Latin American relations in the near-term. The new president will face great challenges but will also have an opportunity to open a new chapter in the history of U.S. relations with Latin America, let's hope he takes advantage of it.