All Americas
- Ecuador: easy base for terrorists and criminals?
The Ecuadorean Constitution calls for 'universal citizenship,' granting free mobility – with or without a passport. But lax regulations are raising fears of easy access for terrorists or organized crime.
Security 'quagmire' for Mexican presidential candidatesMany Mexicans are weary of the sharp rise in violence that has accompanied Calderón's military-led strategy against drug traffickers. So why aren't presidential hopefuls offering alternatives?
Challenges facing Argentina after oil firm nationalizationRetaliation from Spain and a foray into fracking are some of the challenges Argentina may have to navigate, writes a guest blogger.
Secret Service scandal sheds light on sex tourism in Latin AmericaLarge events like the Summit of the Americas and upcoming Olympic games in Brazil can drive up the demand for prostitution and sex trafficking.
What are Rio's security crackdowns accomplishing?How effective is Rio's 2008 public safety policy, if it pushes crime out of one neighborhood and into another, asks guest blogger Julia Michaels.
The next Venezuela? Argentina to nationalize oil companyPresident Kirchner's plan to nationalize the Spanish-controlled oil company, YPF, is raising fears of more expropriations of privately run companies and has set off a furor in Spain.
Imagining Cuba after ChávezVenezuela provides Cuba with up to $15 billion a year, which helps offset the US embargo. But there is the real possibility Chávez may not win or survive another six-year term as president.
8 taxi drivers killed in Mexico: why are they targeted by cartels?Taxis often serve as lookouts for criminal groups, warning of police deployments. If drivers were working for a cartel, they could be targeted by rival gangs, writes a guest blogger.
Drug policy and Cuba headline Summit of the AmericasThe Sixth Summit of the Americas saw what Mexico's Calderón called a 'radical' change: candid conversation about differences over drug policy and Cuba.
- Americas Summit: Will there be consensus on Cuba?
Cuba, as always, was not invited to the Summit of the Americas in Colombia this weekend. But its participation at future meetings could become a major issue.
Sixth Summit of the Americas: 8 things to watch Yes, the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena will debate drug policy and Cuba. Here are eight other topics to be discussed at the Summit.- Dreamers flock to Rio: A Sarajevan learns to samba in Brazil
A British train robber made Rio famous as a hideaway in the 1970s, but nowadays foreigners like Devla Imperatrix arrive in droves, armed with dreams and money to invest, writes a blogger.
Can Colombia's Santos unify the Americas?Building consensus is important as the Americas struggle with high crime and violence. At this weekend's Summit of the Americas in Colombia, all eyes are on President Santos.
Series of quakes hit Mexico: What's going on?Four earthquakes have rattled Mexico City in four months. The Monitor's Mexico City bureau chief explains how the frequent aftershocks have kept earthquakes on the mind.
How 'socially inclusive' is Latin America? New indicator ranks countries.In lead up to Summit of the Americas, a new indicator measures 'social inclusion' based on variables like access to education and jobs in 11 Latin American countries.
Which Latin American countries are the most socially inclusive? Americas Quarterly created a new 'social inclusion index' to compare countries across the region and track their progress over time. Here are the three top countries, two poorest-ranking countries, and one whose ranking may come as a surprise.
Violence in a 'world of children': Can video shock Mexico into action?A new video that depicts kids living a gritty life in the adult world – including muggings, corruption, and drug violence – has shocked Mexicans who normally are inured to crime, a blogger writes.
Summit of the Americas mum on drug policyDrug policy isn't on the agenda for this weekends Summit of the Americas in Colombia, but it's a topic on everyone's mind, writes guest blogger Steven Dudley.
The beach: sun, sand, and inequality in the Dominican RepublicUrban, man-made beaches are popping up around the world, but they serve as a reminder of the inequality that can prohibit low-income residents from traveling to parts of their own countries.
Brazil's President Rousseff praises new study abroad programBrazilian President Dilma Rousseff spoke at Harvard University on the connection between country's rapid economic growth and education.
