Latin America has been bombarded with a series of changes this 2015. From the highly-criticized leaders in Venezuela and Argentina to the indictment of Guatemala's president as well as the longest-running armed conflict in the Southern Hemisphere.

The biggest event that shook Latin America this year, however, was Cuba's new relationship with the United States. This historical normalization of ties between two nations came after decades of frozen relations. But talks are still ongoing and diplomatic challenges still remain.

"It was the most dramatic, positive change in the relationship between Washington and Latin America in a long time," New York think tank Americas Society and Council of the Americas' Policy Vice President Brian Winter said.

Winter, along with other Latin American experts, have also highlighted the decision of U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro as a significant move to re-establish diplomatic relations after five decades of enmity. It is also the most transformative development of the year, USA Today reported.

As Cuba finally removed the biggest negotiating hurdle between the United States and all other countries in the region, here are the other top 5 events that shook Latin America this 2015.

1. Economic slowdown due to commodity prices decline

During the past decade, South American nations were riding an economic boom, which became an advantage to lower class-citizens of populist government countries including Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina. Unfortunately, commodity prices nosedived 14 percent from February to October, resulting to the shortages of basic items in Venezuela and economic slowdowns throughout the region.

2. Peace Talks in Colombia

Considered as the Southern Hemisphere's longest-running armed conflict, peace negotiations are finally possible between the Colombian government and FARC rebel group. After the four-decade-long armed conflict, the Colombian officials spearheaded by President Juan Manuel Santos came to an agreement in September with the FARC guerilla rebels led by Timoleon Jimenez. According to TeleSurTV, the two parties discussed the conflict and transitional justice during four decades of violence between the two sides. Many are hopeful for the final peace deal, which will be signed in March 2016. But the ongoing paramilitary violence remains the most difficult hurdle in negotiations.

3. Massive protests erupted in Central America

Massive protests, which were ignited by major multimillion dollar corruption scandals, have erupted in Guatemala and Honduras this 2015. These protests rocked both Central American countries as thousands of protesters rallied for months, demanding an end to impunity as well as calling for the resignation of presidents. Although the mass protests have subsided, the outrage and underlying possibility for protests to demand deeper change still remain.

4. Pope Francis' Latin American tour

Known as the first pontiff from Latin America, Pope Francis made a historic visit to Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Cuba and the United States. During his tour, the Pope made headlines for his statements on social inequality, war and climate change.

5. The shocking escape of Mexican drug cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman from maximum security prison

The whole world was left baffled when news about the escape of the world's most wanted drug lord from a maximum security prison for the second time in July circulated. El Chapo's high-profile escape sparked suspicion about high-level government complicity and corruption. And despite massive manhunt to track down his whereabouts, El Chapo remains at large. As a matter of fact, he is even expanding his cocaine trafficking business to Europe since his escape.