All Americas
An Argentine abroad challenges President Kirchner over currency controlsAt a Harvard University event, Argentina's President聽Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner responded with gusto to a question about her government's strict currency controls.- Brazil: As prison populations grow is it time to rethink policy on drugs?A new S茫o Paulo think tank is urging Brazilians to rethink the country's drug policy. Brazil's drug law changed in 2006, but many say it has backfired as the drug-related prison population has boomed.
Haiti bans plastic bags and styrofoam containersHaiti's government has announced a ban on importing, manufacturing, and marketing plastic and foam containers as of Oct.1 in an effort to do away with 'rivers of debris' across the country.
Mexico stops the Taliban - 'El Taliban,' that isMexico arrested 'El Taliban,' one of its most wanted drug traffickers, on the same day that the country's president urged the UN to reassess narcotics prohibition.
Brazil arrests top Google executive for YouTube video violation of election lawUnlike other countries where an arrest like this might be considered an intimidation tactic by the president, this arrest was ordered by a judge who is relatively independent of the Brazilian government.
Wikileaks' Assange marks Day 100 inside Ecuadorean embassyEcuador says it will host Assange in its London embassy indefinitely, but the decision to continue supporting the Wikileaks founder could have negative repercussions for the Andean nation.
Nicaragua: Central Bank says economy up 30 percent under SandinistasThough growth for Central America's smallest economy is good news, some economists say it is still insufficient to reduce poverty in Nicaragua.- International Monetary Fund warns Argentina on bogus statisticsThe IMF recently threatened to give Argentina a 'red card' for fudging its growth and inflation rates.
- Loco for cocoa: Artisanal chocolate looks to Mesoamerican roots in NicaraguaArtisanal chocolate is taking off, with many small chocolatiers taking production back to the basics.
What are Mitt Romney's foreign policy goals in Latin America?Romney has highlighted policy issues in Latin America ranging from Iran's influence in the region to security problems in Mexico. How much do his views differ from those of Obama and Bush?
'El Loco' Barrera: What does the capture of Colombia's last big drug lord mean?One of Colombia's top drug traffickers 鈥� Daniel 'El Loco' Barrera 鈥� was captured by Venezuelan, Colombian, US, and UK officials. It's a great sign of regional cooperation, but other traffickers will likely fill the void.- US Drug Enforcement Administration may reopen office in UruguayThe reported move suggests Uruguay is playing a bigger role in trafficking drugs to the US.聽It is not a major producer but traffickers from nearby countries increasingly use it as a transit zone.
No housing? No problem: Some Venezuelans support Chavez despite lack of homesWhile housing is an important consideration for voters in the barrios of Caracas, the persistent shortage can be muted by quality-of-life projects initiated in barrios, like free health-care and community centers.
Jailbreaks in Mexico: Wardens and guards often help drug cartel members fleeLos Zetas have regained hundreds of gang members in jailbreaks in recent years. The jailbreaks expose a side of Mexico's broken prison system, where wardens either bend to organized crime or face death.
Survivors of Mexico's drug violence tell US government 'We need a new approach'More than 100 victims of the drug war went to Washington as part of Mexico's Caravan for Peace to demand justice for their families. The group is pressing both governments to rethink a policy that has cost so many lives.
Can Mexico reclaim title as region's largest economy from Brazil?Mexico was once Latin America鈥檚 darling, but in the past decade Brazil has far surpassed it as commodities drove economic growth. President-elect Pe帽a Nieto is eager to reposition Mexico.
Peru: As Shining Path's political arm grows, government clamps downThe Shining Path terrorized Peru in the 1980s and '90s. But the recent growth of its political wing has prompted Peru's government to introduce a muzzle law that some say goes too far.
Uruguay takes 'war on drugs' in new direction: The state as dealerThe South American country is proposing a state monopoly over marijuana in part to curtail drug-related violence. But it's getting pushback 鈥� even from those in favor of legalization.
Mexico: Should government be blamed for blast at Pemex gas facility?This is the third fire at a Pemex gas facility in five weeks, and could suggest bigger problems 鈥� like safety and security regulations 鈥� need to be addressed.
Chavez vs. Capriles: Corruption takes center stage in Venezuela's electionOpposition candidate Capriles expelled his top aide after a film showed him accepting cash from an unknown source. Are corruption accusations enough to push his campaign off track?
