Last month the Constitutional Tribunal, Peru's highest court, ruled that exploration should halt in the protected area while the government comes up with a development plan.

ECONOMIST: A scramble for land sets investors against locals

But just last week, the Constitutional Tribunal ruled that the 57 opposition legislators who were fired last month should be allowed to return to their posts.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Ecuador's democracy at risk

The appointment of a people's ombudsman, a constitutional tribunal and an independent judicial council will help to break the tradition of mutual back-scratching between government and judges.

ECONOMIST: Bolivia