All Americas
First LookClaudia Sheinbaum takes the presidential oath in Mexico. Now the hard work begins.Claudia Sheinbaum will become the first female president of Mexico when she takes her oath of office on Oct. 1. She promises to continue the social policies and constitutional reforms of former President聽Andr茅s Manuel L贸pez Obrador, but faces many crises.
First LookWhy are three of Brazil鈥檚 mega dams in the Amazon on the brink of failure?Brazil鈥檚 mega dams rank among the most powerful in the world, but droughts driven by climate change have decreased the dams鈥� output to as low as 3% of their potential.聽Hydropower accounts for around half the energy Brazilians use.聽
Ten years after 43 students disappeared, Mexican parents still seek the truthProtests usually express opposition. But in Mexico, where parents of disappeared students have marched for 10 years, grief is stronger聽 than dissent.
First LookMexico鈥檚 beloved Obrador prepares to say goodbye. What is his presidential legacy?President Andr茅s Manuel L贸pez Obrador, who leaves office Sept. 30, is admired for his social programs and breaking down barriers between government and voters. However, he also attacked media, granted military more power, and eliminated regulatory agencies.
Once 鈥榚xtinct鈥� in Canada, the Sinixt people are reclaiming their ancestral homeWhen a country recognizes the rights of peoples to use their ancestral territory but they live in a different country, it raises tricky questions around access and sovereignty. That鈥檚 just what鈥檚 happening in Canada with the Sinixt Confederacy.
Latin America鈥檚 populist prototype: Peru鈥檚 Fujimori leaves divisive legacyFormer President Alberto Fujimori had been out of office for more than two decades when he died. But his legacy still divides Peru today.
Tango for all? How Argentine artists are upending stereotypes.Tango may conjure up images of tight suits and stiletto heels, but an alternative approach to Argentina鈥檚 national cultural icon could change that.
First LookWith protestors at the door, Mexico鈥檚 Senate says judges must stand for electionMexico鈥檚 Senate voted on Sept. 10 to have all judges elected by聽popular vote, a change critics fear will threaten democracy. Hundreds of protestors pushed their way into the chamber,聽yelling,聽鈥淭he judiciary isn鈥檛 going to fall.鈥�
First LookMaduro retains two-decades-long rule as opposition leader flees to SpainEdmundo Gonz谩lez, considered by several foreign governments to be the winner of the July presidential election, landed in Madrid Sept. 8. There, he joins at least four former presidential hopefuls who are victims of聽Nicol谩s聽Maduro鈥檚 brutal rule.
Human smuggling is on the rise. International collaboration is key to halting it.Despite efforts to crack down on immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border, human smugglers adapt quickly to new laws and regulations in how they market their 鈥渟ervices鈥� to desperate migrants.聽Human trafficking is on the rise. International collaboration is key to halting it.
First LookAs X sinks in Brazil, many users find refuge on Threads and BlueskyAfter Brazil鈥檚 Supreme Court鈥檚 decision to suspend X 鈥� with a hefty fine for those who evade the ban 鈥� users are moving to Bluesky or Threads. While X was not the largest platform in Brazil, it played an outsized role in politics, academia, and journalism.
The ExplainerWhy Mexican judicial reform is causing a rift with the USMexico鈥檚 president is pushing a controversial reform package through the legislature before leaving office. While he sees changes in how judges are selected as a win for democracy, others fear the loss of a key independent institution.聽
How Venezuela鈥檚 opposition leader went from political fringe to center stageVenezuela鈥檚 government and opposition have both claimed victory in the July 28 presidential election.聽Mar铆a Corina Machado鈥檚 name wasn鈥檛 on the ballot, but she has a big stake in the outcome.聽
First LookVenezuelans worldwide rally against Maduro's disputed election victoryVenezuelans globally rallied to support the opposition's claim of victory over President Maduro in last month's disputed election. Demonstrations in cities like Caracas, Tokyo, and Sydney urged global backing for candidate Edmundo Gonz谩lez, and support for those silenced by repression.
Difference MakerIn a Haiti hungry for hope, one doctor uplifts her community from the insideMarie-Marcelle Deschamps doesn鈥檛 want to be anywhere but Haiti. For decades, she has dedicated her life to an innovative hospital that provides far more than physical care.
Venezuela鈥檚 Maduro clings to power. Opposition hopes this time it ends differently.Venezuelan President Maduro has claimed 鈥� without evidence 鈥� that he won the presidential election. Despite high levels of repression, the opposition is leaning into their hope for change.
First LookMasked attackers vandalize Venezuelan opposition headquarters in post-election turmoilSince Venezuela鈥檚 disputed July 28 election, a number of the country鈥檚 close allies have called for higher transparency, with the U.S. endorsing the opposition鈥檚 win. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado鈥檚 headquarters were ransacked Aug. 2.
First LookPaper tally sheets will prove the winner of Venezuela鈥檚 election 鈥� so where are they?After both President Nicol谩s Maduro and the main opposition claimed to have won Venezuela鈥檚 presidential election, Mr. Maduro was declared winner 鈥� but the national electoral authority has yet to release the tally sheets that would confirm the results.
First LookWho won Venezuela鈥檚 election? Both candidates claim victory.Both Nicol谩s Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonz谩lez claimed victory in Venezuela鈥檚 presidential election on July 28. Foreign governments have hesitated to recognize the results as the opposition called on their supporters to remain calm.
First LookWildfires rage across western US, Canada, as firefighters struggle to control themThe so-called Park Fire had scorched more than 550 square miles in inland Northern California as of Sunday, darkening the sky and contributing to poor air quality in a large swath of the Northwestern U.S. and western Canada.
