All Americas
How will the FARC-Colombia peace talks impact Latin America?Ridding Latin America of the FARC could mean a better business climate, reduced tensions between Colombia and its neighbors, and space for the rise of a new left in Colombia.
- What's the role of Afro-Colombian and Colombian women in the FARC peace talks?
Colombian women have faced internal displacement, militarization, sexual violence, and the forced recruitment of their children into the conflict. Their input is vital at the negotiating table, says a WOLA blogger.
Could Central American gangs usurp the role of Mexican cartels?Mexican groups currently use Central American gangs to launder money, infiltrate local police, and traffic drugs. With the crackdown on Mexican cartels, the role of Central American gangs could increase.
- Should the US suspend Guatemalan deportations in light of the recent earthquake?
President Molina has asked Obama to stop Guatemalan deportations from the US, which increased by 14 percent this year, according to Guatemalan officials.
McAfee flees from Belize authorities - should he fear the police?John McAfee, a pioneer of antivirus software, is on the run after accusations of murder. He has said he fears for his life if caught by Belizean police, one of the most honest forces in the region.
Four more years? Ecuador's Correa announces run for reelectionPresident Correa is famous abroad for protecting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. But for Ecuadorean voters, Correa's personality may be decisive, writes a guest blogger.
- Back on Latin America's menu: purple seaweed, blue eggs, and amaranth
As traditional foods like quinoa gain popularity world-wide, many in Latin America are seeking to get their own residents to delve into plates that were the superfoods of their ancestors.
Will Brazil miss the goal with 2014 World Cup?Brazilians are concerned that mismanagement of the World Cup and the Olympics Games will squander the country's chance to build needed infrastructure and improve government.
Latin American women: better educated, but still underpaidA recent report found that men earn 17 percent more than women in Latin America. It's an improvement over data from 10 years ago, but the pace of gains remains slow.
The Dutch woman who ran away with Colombia's FARCTanja Nijmeijer moved to Colombia in 2002 where she joined the FARC guerrillas in their fight against the Colombian state. She will be a part of their negotiating team during peace talks in Cuba this month.
- How will Cuban Americans impact Obama's Cuba policies in his second term?
Cuban Americans voted for Obama in record numbers, signifying a shift in this constituency's views on US policies in Cuba.
- Remembering the lost children of El Salvador's war
The Salvadoran government recently apologized for its role in the forced disappearance of children during its 12-year war. Some say targeting children was a tactic to invoke terror on families.
Obama won record Cuban American voteExit polls demonstrate that, for the first time in over half a century, engaging Cuba is no longer the political liability it once was.
Does Puerto Rico really want to become the 51st US state?While more than half voted to change Puerto Rico's commonwealth status, the vote did not offer a clear sense of whether statehood or independence is the preferred next step, writes a guest blogger.
Brand power in Honduras: Lesser known gangs claim affiliation to infamous 'maras'Honduras warns that some criminal groups have claimed to be affiliated with feared 'mara' gangs in order to intimidate their victims. There are reports of similar 'cartel impersonators' in Mexico, too.
Latin Americans love Obama – so why the 'collective shrug' on reelection?Obama is considered more popular in Latin America than his predecessor. But the region's self-confidence makes it feel far less buffeted by a particular president's outlook.
- Mexico: Sharp fall in drug violence inspires new optimism
Along much of the 1,970-mile border between Mexico and the US, levels of violence that peaked in 2011 have fallen, and a national survey found optimism for Mexico's security situation is on the rise.
Biggest blow to Mexico drug cartels? It could be on your state ballot.A Mexican study says legalizing marijuana for recreational use in the US - an issue on the ballot in three US states - could cut the proceeds of Mexican drug gangs by 30 percent.
- Cuban waters come up dry on oil
International oil companies have been searching for crude off the coast of Cuba for the past few years, but all came up short. In hindsight, did the drilling program make sense?
- Rise in beheadings in Mexico – sign of splintering drug gangs?
Brutality and shock tactics are a way for new gangs to assert themselves, and could be rising because of the splintering of larger transnational criminal organizations.
