All Americas
With US money, El Salvador to begin wiretapping to stop organized crimeThe US has given a $5 million grant to make the wiretapping possible, writes a guest blogger.
Building on success: How El Salvador is trying to keep gang violence downEl Salvador has proposed a program to train tens of thousands of former gang members for the workforce. But some are questioning why criminals should get special help, writes a guest blogger.- Has nothing changed in Cuba?In a New York Times op-ed, a Cuban blogger writes that nothing has changed on the communist island, but guest blogger Melissa Fortner disagrees. Individual freedoms are expanding, she writes.
- Is ideology dead in Latin America?There is no longer a strong unifying ideology in Latin America, writes guest blogger James Bosworth.
Coast Guard siezes 'narco-sub' in CaribbeanSome 80 percent of cocaine leaving South America goes by sea, highlighting the importance of maritime routes to traffickers, writes a guest blogger.
Santos hailed as regional leader, but approval falls at home in ColombiaColombia's President Santos is riding high regionally, but a new poll suggests his domestic approval ratings have dropped, writes guest blogger James Bosworth.
On Earth Day, Canada's native Innus march to save their land, identityThe Quebec government is opening up its northern region to mining and energy companies, sparking concern among the native Innu, who fear they will lose their ancestral lands.- Princess Cruise passes stranded fishing boat, denting cruisliners' image againA luxury liner sailed past a stranded fishing boat from Panama, even though passengers aboard spotted three men adrift. Two of the fishermen died.
- Outrage flares in Argentina as former dictator breaks silence about 'Dirty War'Jorge Videla admitted last week that the military regime killed thousands during the late 1970s and early 80s, when he was in power. But many see his confession as justification, not remorse.
- Family asks UN to help free former Peace Corps volunteer jailed in NicaraguaOf the 725 US citizens in jail abroad, more than half are behind bars in Latin America. Jason Puracal was imprisoned in November 2010, and his family says the US hasn't done enough in his case.
Traditional and modern merge in Mexico's ZonaMaco art fairJust ten years ago some Mexican artists assumed 'good stuff only came from the outside,' but now many local designers mix pride in their culture and tradition with modernity, writes a blogger.- El Salvador's first 'murder free' day in three years: The first of many?The Salvadorian government allegedly made a truce with gang leaders. Giving criminals impunity for reduced violence may weaken the legitimacy of the state, but it's saving lives, writes a blogger.
Drug violence? Mexicans say Popocatepetl is a bigger concern.A recent poll shows Mexican concern about natural disaster outranks fears of violence and organized crime. The reason: an active volcano and recent earthquakes.
Makeover for Rio's favelas: What is at stake?One of every five residents in Rio de Janeiro lives in a favela, and faces public security and health threats. But the city's plan to improve slums has been met with distrust, writes a guest blogger.
Secret Service scandal: an embarrassment for Colombian city, tooOfficials in Cartagena are protesting the negative image their city is earning amid the blanket coverage of a Secret Service prostitute scandal.- Ecuador: easy base for terrorists and criminals?The Ecuadorean Constitution calls for 'universal citizenship,' granting free mobility 鈥� with or without a passport. But lax regulations are raising fears of easy access for terrorists or organized crime.
Security 'quagmire' for Mexican presidential candidatesMany Mexicans are weary of the sharp rise in violence that has accompanied Calder贸n's military-led strategy against drug traffickers. So why aren't presidential hopefuls offering alternatives?
Challenges facing Argentina after oil firm nationalizationRetaliation from Spain and a foray into fracking are some of the challenges Argentina may have to navigate, writes a guest blogger.
Secret Service scandal sheds light on sex tourism in Latin AmericaLarge events like the Summit of the Americas and upcoming Olympic games in Brazil can drive up the demand for prostitution and sex trafficking.
What are Rio's security crackdowns accomplishing?How effective is Rio's 2008 public safety policy, if it pushes crime out of one neighborhood and into another, asks guest blogger Julia Michaels.