All Americas
Latin American women: better educated, but still underpaidA recent report found that men earn 17 percent more than women in Latin America. It's an improvement over data from 10 years ago, but the pace of gains remains slow.
The Dutch woman who ran away with Colombia's FARCTanja Nijmeijer moved to Colombia in 2002 where she joined the FARC guerrillas in their fight against the Colombian state. She will be a part of their negotiating team during peace talks in Cuba this month.- How will Cuban Americans impact Obama's Cuba policies in his second term?Cuban Americans voted for Obama in record numbers, signifying a shift in this constituency's views on US policies in Cuba.
- Remembering the lost children of El Salvador's warThe Salvadoran government recently apologized for its role in the forced disappearance of children during its 12-year war. Some say targeting children was a tactic to invoke terror on families.
Obama won record Cuban American voteExit polls demonstrate that, for the first time in over half a century, engaging Cuba is no longer the political liability it once was.
Does Puerto Rico really want to become the 51st US state?While more than half voted to change Puerto Rico's commonwealth status, the vote did not offer a clear sense of whether statehood or independence is the preferred next step, writes a guest blogger.
Brand power in Honduras: Lesser known gangs claim affiliation to infamous 'maras'Honduras warns that some criminal groups have claimed to be affiliated with feared 'mara' gangs in order to intimidate their victims. There are reports of similar 'cartel impersonators' in Mexico, too.
Latin Americans love Obama 鈥� so why the 'collective shrug' on reelection?Obama is considered more popular in Latin America than his predecessor. But the region's self-confidence makes it feel far less buffeted by a particular president's outlook.- Mexico: Sharp fall in drug violence inspires new optimismAlong much of the 1,970-mile border between Mexico and the US, levels of violence that peaked in 2011 have fallen, and a national survey found optimism for Mexico's security situation is on the rise.
Biggest blow to Mexico drug cartels? It could be on your state ballot.A Mexican study says legalizing marijuana for recreational use in the US - an issue on the ballot in three US states - could cut the proceeds of Mexican drug gangs by 30 percent.- Cuban waters come up dry on oilInternational oil companies have been searching for crude off the coast of Cuba for the past few years, but all came up short. In hindsight, did the drilling program make sense?
- Rise in beheadings in Mexico 鈥� sign of splintering drug gangs?Brutality and shock tactics are a way for new gangs to assert themselves, and could be rising because of the splintering of larger transnational criminal organizations.
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 crimeA 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 CityMexico City鈥檚 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.
