All Americas
- Colombia - FARC peace talks: 4 things you need to know Colombia has ample experience holding peace talks – though over the past 50 years, it’s seen little peace. But in early September, President Juan Manuel Santos announced peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. Here are four things you need to know about the landmark peace process.
- What if technology could undermine drug violence in Brazil?A debate in Rio de Janeiro focuses on how access to information and technology among low-income youth might weaken the drug trade and empower young people in favelas.
- In earthquake-ready Costa Rica, quake size rattlesThe powerful quake surprised locals and foreign retirees alike. Damage appears to be limited, although two related fatalities have been reported.
- Mexico scrambles for eggs amid shortageMexico has the highest-per-capita egg consumption in the world. But ever since an avian flu wiped out 8 million hens, the staple has become more expensive and scarce.
- Colombia to begin peace talks with the FARC, but no cease-fireThe lack of a cease-fire means violence between Colombian forces and the FARC won't immediately end. But hopes for peace in the decades-long conflict are high.
- FocusLucha Libre: A spandex-clad campaign against obesity in MexicoMexico's health ministry has partnered with Lucha Libre wrestlers to fight obesity there. The campaign includes informational videos and weighing willing attendees outside of the junk food-centric events.
- FocusNo gym membership, no problem in the Dominican RepublicForget CrossFit. The most popular exercise class in Santo Domingo is a free hour-long group exercise session held in the middle of a closed park avenue, part of an effort to fight the nation's obesity woes.
- FocusObesity weighing on America – Latin America, that isThe fattening of Latin America mirrors a global pattern that has left some 1.5 billion adults overweight. Now, from Mexico to Chile, it's triggering a political response.
- Transparency in Mexico: Information doesn't come easilyIn Mexico it can be a long, frustrating pursuit for members of civil society or journalists to get even basic information from the government, despite an institution created to make it easier.
- Mexico's Lopez Obrador rejects court ruling on election fraudPresidential runner-up Lopez Obrador refused to recognize a court ruling that upholds July's election and called for protests. Is Mexico's youth opposition stuck with a flailing leader?
- Venezuelan pollsters weigh in on Chávez vs. Capriles battle for presidentIn many countries, a 10-point spread in polls would be considered a victory for the incumbent, but factors like the Amuay refinery explosion and the 20 percent undecided voters make Venezuela different.
- Lessons learned from El Salvador's constitutional crisisEl Salvador's National Assembly reelected previously barred magistrates, moving a step toward national consensus that the Supreme Court has the last word on the country's Constitution.
- US agents attacked in Mexico believed to be CIAThe CIA presence in Mexico reportedly increased last year after the US deployed more agents to work alongside Mexican military officials in the fight against drug trafficking organizations.
- Colombia sets the stage for FARC peace talksColombia last tried peace talks with the FARC in 1999, but the leftist rebels continued training and recruiting new fighters. Today, political and military conditions may help end the five-decade-long conflict.
- Venezuela's refinery explosion: one for the history booksThe films El Reventón I and II document the history of oil in Venezuela. Does this weekend's explosion at Venezuela's Amuay refinery call for another sequel?
- What will Venezuela learn from its Amuay refinery explosion?After any industrial disaster it's useful to pinpoint what happened so it doesn't happen again. But some see warning signs in the fact that Venezuela's PDVSA already ruled out maintenance problems without an investigation.
- Venezuela: Can calls for gun control trump election year divides?Venezuela has one of the highest murder rates in the world, and illegal firearms are prevalent. More than 130,000 illegal arms were turned into the state last year as part of a pilot disarmament program.
- Questions after Mexican police open fire on US officialsMembers of the Mexican Federal Police opened fire on a US diplomatic car on Friday. Was it mistaken identity or an assassination attempt?
- Venezuela oil blast evidence of deteriorating infrastructureA Saturday explosion at Venezuela's Amuay refinery, the country's largest, claimed at least 39 lives. Engineers and oil executives say the blast is fresh evidence of deteriorating infrastructure in the country with the world's largest proven oil reserves.
- Mexico tunes in to needs of drug war survivorsAfter nearly six years of drug war violence in Mexico some 55,000 people have been killed. Mexico is attempting new ways to reach survivors who may not have considered mental health options.