All Americas
Brazil: Congress to vote on redistribution of oil royaltiesCities currently pocketing royalties oppose the vote, but a study found that despite a rise in GDP, those receiving the most royalties accomplished little in terms of improving employment, literacy, and wages.
- Ousting of police chief highlights Argentina's vulnerability to organized crime
A police chief is accused of organizing a pay-out scheme with local drug traffickers. With rampant police corruption, Argentina may be ill-prepared for the rise of powerful trafficking organizations.
Day of the Dead: Mexicans mourn loved onesFamilies in Oaxaca remembered their lost loved ones last night in the traditional way.
Bad boys: Brazil slaps misbehaving soccer players with service, not just suspensionsIn an attempt to make athletes better role models, Brazil has mandated that some offending players do community service and help kids in need.
Mexico City's new subway line to cut down on commute, pollutionMexico City's new subway line will eliminate 860 buses from the city's congested streets and expand one of the most used metro systems in the Western Hemisphere into poorer districts.
- Mexico: How far do drug gangs reach?
A new report using Internet searches to track criminal activity in Mexico found it is concentrated near large Mexican cities, entry points to the US, and highways connecting illicit crops or ports.
Hurricane Sandy puts renewed pressure on food supply in HaitiBefore arriving in the United States, Sandy lingered over flood-prone Haiti for three days, sparking concerns about food security and risk of cholera.
- Urban gardening on the rise in Mexico City
Mexico City’s municipal government has helped thousands of families build gardens on their rooftops, which can help alleviate poverty and provide residents with their own healthy food.
- Brazil laying down the law
Recent corruption and police misconduct cases in Brazil seem to signal impunity is giving way to justice, but the country has yet to confront its history of dictatorship-era human rights violations.
Chile drops mandatory vote – and a few incumbent mayorsChileans replaced pro-government mayors in many of its biggest municipalities yesterday in an election that saw only a fraction of eligible voters cast ballots.
Venezuela prioritizes 'happiness' in its national budgetPresident Chávez's administration announced its budget last week, allocating nearly 40 percent of funds for 'supreme happiness.' The budget's ambiguous nature, however, has made some distinctly unhappy.
- Colombia: How peace could impact the FARC's role in illegal mining
Illegal mining is fast becoming a central resource for the FARC, overtaking coca production in some provinces. With the rising price of minerals there's an incentive to stay involved, even if peace is achieved.
- Rio: An island of relative safety in a sea of vulnerability?
Rio de Janeiro has made strides to improve public safety, leading the way for Brazil's other 26 states. But with upcoming mega-events, coordination between federal and state forces is still needed.
More migration reform: Cuba opens door to many illegal emigres and defectorsAllowing more Cubans to return to Cuba will help accelerate the warming trend between the island and its diaspora, and could lead to a change in US policy toward the island.
- Cuba to welcome back many who left
In order to normalize relations with Cubans abroad, Cuba's most recent policy is expected to allow the return of many now banned from the island, estimated any anywhere from 70,000 to 300,000.
Ahoy Argentina: Crew of boat seized by creditors in Ghana arrives homeThe seizure of an Argentine boat off the coast of Ghana highlights the battle that continues between the southern cone nation and its creditors a decade after it defaulted on a $100 billion debt.
Wanted in Brazil: more English speakersBrazil placed near the bottom of a 54-country ranking of English proficiency this week. But with floods of tourists expected to attend the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, more people are signing up for English classes.
- FARC 'earns $2.4 to $3.5 billion' from drugs, says Colombian government
By focusing on the rebels’ criminal activities the government may be sending the FARC a signal that a failure to follow through on the peace process could see them permanently labelled as 'narco-terrorists.'
Navy is Mexico's most important crime-fighting force – even in landlocked statesActions in recent weeks underscore how the Navy has taken the lead in Mexico's war on crime, from the arrest of one of the Gulf Cartel's top leaders to the capture of a Zetas commander.
- Less is more? Little mention of Cuba in presidential debate could be positive sign.
Over time, a more rational discussion of US-Cuba relations could emerge.
