All Americas
First LookMexico's López Obrador will dominate Congress, with record female contingentMexico's President-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador aims to radically re-shape Mexico. His party's dominance in Congress will help him deliver on his pledge but it lacks the two-thirds majority needed to make changes to the country's constitution.
First LookCuba releases environmental activist on parole after hunger strikeCubans and the international community rallied for the release of environmental activist Ariel Ruiz Urquiola – an unusually broad act of dissent that eventually led to his release. Mr. Ruiz Urquiola was on a hunger strike to protest his arrest after he criticized forest rangers.
How laughter brought more voters to the polls in ColombiaPolitics in Colombia have become particularly polarized in recent years, with the introduction of a historic peace agreement ending more than 50 years of conflict and presidential candidates on ideological extremes. But the rise of online political satire helped spark the interest of a new generation of voters – and got them to the polls.
First LookMexico elects leftist López Obrador as presidentAfter campaigning on vows to end "mafia" control of Mexico, leftist Andrés Manuel López Obrador rode widespread voter discontent with the long-time governing party to his presidential election win.
Mexico's man of the people – with an egoThe hot-button issues between the US and Mexico – immigration, trade, the border wall – will shift when a new president is elected July 1. Front-runner Andrés Manuel López Obrador is leading with a 'Mexico first' approach.
Colombia's 'lord of the books' saves tomes from the trashWhen José Alberto Gutierrez began working as a garbage collector in 1997, he thought it was a waste that so many books were being thrown away. So he decided to save them. Now known as the “lord of the books," Mr. Gutierrez has donated thousands of books across Colombia.
First LookCuba loosens grip on media, allows for more independent reportingNewly named Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel is allowing the media to have a bit more freedom with their reporting. Journalists can now publish news of important events without government approval and accept advertising from Cuba's small private sector.
First LookColombia's president-elect appeals for unity after runoff electionAfter defeating former guerrilla Gustavo Petro in the nation's presidential race, Ivan Duque promised to work tirelessly to heal divisions and attack corruption in his first remarks as Colombian president-elect.
As Colombians head to polls, peace is still a work in progressVoters want to move Colombia ahead after decades of conflict. But that also means looking back at its peace deal and choosing between two visions for how to implement it before violence flares again.
After asylum limits, some ask: Does 'gang violence' need a new name?On Monday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that domestic abuse and gang violence cannot be considered grounds for asylum.
First LookMexico's presidential front-runner seeks common ground with TrumpAndrés Manuel López Obrador wants to make a deal to solve illegal immigration – but not with border walls. Instead, he wants to strengthen Mexico's economy and improve governmental stability to provide a better living standard for Mexicans and ease US tensions.
With few choices, the poor take risk in volcano's pathLowering risks requires understanding their root causes. Guatemala’s deadly volcanic eruption has highlighted a problem seen around the world: that poor communities often live where it’s cheapest, despite the dangers.
First LookAsylum-seekers line up at US-Mexico borderDespite a tough stance on immigration by the Trump administration the number of Mexicans and Central Americans seeking legal entry into the US continues to climb. Between 2014 and 2017 the number of asylum filings have tripled to 142,000, the highest level in more than 20 years.
The ExplainerBriefing: Why violence has flared in NicaraguaFrustrations with President Daniel Ortega's increasingly authoritarian presidency have mounted for years. In recent weeks, citizen protests and a violent crackdown have swept the country.
Syrian students find an unlikely home, and hope, in MexicoDisorienting as migration may be, most newcomers to Europe can count on finding peers who share their language, faith, and traditions. Largely isolated from their countrymen, a small group of Syrian students in Mexico are striving to build community.
First LookForensic experts search for Mexico's missingSince December 2012, more than 21,280 have gone missing in Mexico's long and deadly drug war. Now Argentine forensic scientists are attempting to provide some closure for Mexican families where a corrupt government has failed to provide answers.
Cover StoryHow a global crusade is working to save the improbable reef of CartagenaA coral reef is thriving mysteriously beneath a busy shipping zone in Colombia. The secrets of its resilience could help protect other vulnerable reefs, scientists say.
First LookDiaz-Canel crafts new public persona as Cuban presidentIn sharp contrast with his reclusive predecessor, Raúl Castro, Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel has begun to appear in publicly televised speeches and meetings with local communities – signaling a potential shift in how the new leader intends to govern.
First LookMaduro wins disputed presidential election in VenezuelaVenezuelan President Nicolas Maduro easily won his campaign for re-election Sunday, drawing protest from opponents whose faith in the nation's electoral process is dwindling. Mr. Maduro came away with nearly 68 percent of the vote.
First LookCosta Rica's farmers harvest the rain to counter droughtsTo offset unpredictable weather patterns Costa Rican farmers are searching for a solutions to water thirsty livestock and crops. One developing technology captures and stores rainwater for up to four months but it is expensive to install and rainwater regulations loom.
