All Americas
New president, new hope? Guatemalans’ commitment to democracy on display.Guatemala – against the odds – inaugurated its new president following months of turbulence.
The ExplainerHow Ecuador went from sleepy refuge to a state of emergencyAn erosion in public safety often happens in steady decline, and Ecuador is no exception. But brazen violence this week has shaken the Andean nation.
First LookIn Ecuador, TV broadcast siege latest front in gang warMasked gunmen interrupted a live news broadcast in Guayaquil, Ecuador on Jan. 9 – the most dramatic in a recent series of violent incidents that coincided with the escape of two powerful gang leaders from prison.
El Salvador candidate: Breaking the law – in a popular way?Salvadorans say Nayib Bukele broke the law in running for reelection, but most still support him, thanks to improvements in security and crime during his presidency.
First LookFrom generations past to present: Mexico's 400-Year piñata traditionIn Acolman, Mexico skilled piñata maker crafts traditional piñatas with her son, continuing a family legacy spanning four generations. Business thrives, especially during Christmas, featuring unique seven-cone spheres symbolizing the seven deadly sins.
Censorship or public safety? Tijuana bans ‘narco’ ballads.Politicians have often tried to ban pop culture that they claim glorifies violence. Tijuana is the latest to try it. Do those bans actually make people safer?
Is democracy sinking in Guatemala? Legal meddling ahead of inauguration.What happens when a nation’s justice system is used by a select, powerful few as a weapon? Guatemala’s president-elect is finding out in real time.
First LookChileans vote no to ‘extremist’ constitution amid reform effortsChilean voters have rejected a conservative constitution to replace the country’s dictatorship-era charter, a little over a year after turning down a proposed leftist charter. The results of the vote underline deep divisions within the country.
In Pictures: Nunavut villagers find home in a stark landLife in the Canadian Arctic is hard. Our reporting team found that it is made easier by the spirit of community embraced by Indigenous villagers.
Swings and extremes: Chile votes on new constitution – againFour years ago, Chileans said they were looking for a new, modern constitution. This weekend, exhausted citizens vote once again.
First LookFarmers are razing the Amazon. Brazil says they’re also the solution.Farmers are a key part of Brazilian President Lula’s plan to address deforestation in the Amazon – even as farmers continue to turn wide swathes of forest into farmland.
Does Ukraine aid bolster US national security? Biden makes his case.Many Americans worry that U.S. support for Ukraine is a waste of money. But might underwriting Kyiv's fight against Russia now be a kind of insurance against costlier U.S. military action later?
Venezuela promised to take over part of Guyana. Why now?Venezuela is escalating a land dispute with neighboring Guyana – but threats may have more to do with internal politics than territorial expansion.
First LookArgentina to devalue peso: ‘Our mission is to avoid a catastrophe.’Argentina will devalue its currency by 50% and make drastic cuts to energy and transportation spending. New President Javier Milei has warned that the economic emergency will get worse before getting better.
Almighty US dollar? Argentina’s new leader provides a test.The U.S. dollar has always carried a certain cache. But as Argentina considers adopting it as official currency, the drawbacks of the greenback come into sharp relief.
First LookPeruvians divided as ex-president, jailed for massacres, walks freeAn imprisoned ex-president of Peru was released on humanitarian grounds on Dec. 6, stoking controversy in the Andean nation. Alberto Fujimori was serving a 25-year sentence for massacres committed during his rule in the 1990s.
Ice cream nation: Does Ecuador take the cherry?Ice cream is the national food in the Andean nation of Ecuador. Ecuadorians say they like their creamsicles, soft-serves, and sorbets more than anyone.
First LookVenezuelans voted to claim Guyana’s territory. What comes next?Voters approved a referendum claiming a disputed region of neighboring Guyana, according to Venezuela’s election authority. Many see the issue as a way for the Venezuelan regime to gain support ahead of the 2024 elections.
First LookAn Amazonian tribe was near extinction. Here’s how its women saved it.The Juma, an Amazonian Indigenous tribe, seemed destined for extinction. Sisters Boreá, Mandeí, and Maytá were able to make a comeback by changing the tribe’s patriarchal tradition. Now, they fight to preserve their territory and culture.
First LookPanama court nixes copper mine contract after weeks of protestsPanama’s top court ruled against a controversial mining contract on Tuesday. The contract, signed Oct. 20, sparked a wave of protests across the country and has become a major issue in Panama’s upcoming elections.
