All Americas
Will Obama provide Mexico's besieged president a much-needed lifeline?President Enrique Peña Nieto's meeting with President Obama on Tuesday presents the beleaguered leader with an opportunity to make highly anticipated progress on security and economic issues.
Organized crime in Latin America: What to expect in 2015Drug trafficking and extortion are expected to increase in Colombia as the government and FARC continue peace talks, and relationships between Guatemalan and Mexican drug gangs could strengthen.
Ecuador lures back its diaspora with social spending and opportunitySince taking office in 2007, President Correa has reached out to Ecuadoreans living abroad, offering scholarships and relocation benefits.
- Why some Brazilian jailbirds can sing 'I'll be home for Christmas'
More than half a million prisoners in Brazil occupy jails meant to house less than 300,000 people. Brazil has a number of rules that allow it to pare down the prison population - particularly around Christmas.
Honduras appoints Army general to run police force amid crime spikeThe new security chief will oversee 14,000 police officers and collect data on crime. Honduras has the world's highest murder rate. Critics say the move is a dangerous step.
Many Cubans optimistic - and cautious - about new US tiesFollowing speeches by Obama and Castro announcing the restoration of US-Cuban ties, many in Havana say they expect life to get easier in the not too distant future.
The Explainer5 ways Cuba-US agreement will make wavesThe historic opening between the two countries could have an impact on travel and business in the long-term, though changes are likely to happen gradually.
Colombia's FARC proposes indefinite cease-fire – with strings attachedThe FARC offer was unprecedented, but the government says it won't allow an international team to verify compliance, a condition set out by the guerrillas.
Venezuela's role in warming Cuba - US relationsCuba had relied on Venezuela to prop up its economy. But with that support uncertain, the Castro brothers appear to have decided to come in from the cold.
From the Monitor archives: US slaps Cuba with trade embargoToday's announcement of restored diplomatic ties between Cuba and the US comes after five decades of antagonism, including the 54-year-old US trade embargo against the Communist island. The Christian Science Monitor covered the embargo from the start.
'Creeping humanitarian crisis' in Central America? Droughts lead to crop loss.A full 80 percent of farmers in the worst-hit areas of El Salvador have reported losing all of their crops, while 75 percent of corn and bean crops in Honduras and Guatemala have failed.
Openly gay US ambassador treads touchy path in Dominican RepublicAt the end of James Brewster's first year as ambassador, many in the conservative Catholic country say his appointment shows how out of touch the US is with local values. But he says it's important for him to speak out.
For Syrians seeking sanctuary, a door opens in BrazilBrazil is accepting an increasing number of refugees from Syria's civil war and other trouble spots around the world. Syrians who make the trip to Brazil can apply on arrival for refugee status and virtually all succeed.
How have Colombia-FARC peace talks affected scale of conflict?The FARC displaced roughly 50,000 people since peace talks began in 2012, according to a UN report. But the rebel group's role in driving overall violence in Colombia since 2012 isn't clear cut.
Does Mexico need a new Zapata or Villa to lead its disenchanted?A century ago, revolutionary leaders rode into Mexico City trailed by their peasant armies. Today, protests are again sweeping the nation after the disappearance of 43 students - but can they persist without a clear leader?
El Salvador murder pits retired colonel against ghosts of the civil-war eraRivas believes his son was killed because of him: for his history as a witness, and for the likelihood he'd become one again in war-crimes trials. If he's right, the murder would represent a throwback to civil-war-era tactics in a country that’s enjoyed more than two decades of peace.
Uruguay welcomes six Guantánamo detainees, underlining focus on human rightsFormer President Mujica, an ex-guerrilla who was once tortured in jail, agreed to take the prisoners earlier this year. He said he was doing it 'for humanity.'
Can reforms change Mexico's corrupt police culture?Police practices came under harsh scrutiny after the disappearance of 43 college students. Mexico's Congress is debating security reforms, including one that would put a state police command over local police forces.
Venezuela's approval for President Maduro and Chavismo hit new lowVenezuela's President Nicolás Maduro's ratings hit an all time low in recent polls, and more than 85 percent of Venezuelans say the country is on the wrong track.
Theft of oil, gas from Mexico's pipelines on the riseConstant spills caused by the theft spoil the environment and rob Mexicans of a valuable resource. But the piracy also may crimp Mexico’s success in opening its energy sector to international investment.
