Latin America
Mexico files lawsuit against US gun manufacturers for their role in trafficking and violence
In a speech to Mexico's Senate, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard announced that Mexico will file a new lawsuit against several US gun manufacturers in Arizona. Before this announcement, the Mexican government had already brought lawsuits against US companies that they claim are contributing to the illegal arms trade in Mexico.
The Votes Are In: Brazilian Elections Reveal a Polarized Country with an Uncertain Fate
On Sunday, Oct. 2, Brazil held its first round of presidential and congressional elections. With 99.98 percent of the votes counted by Sunday evening, the ballots showed that top contenders Lula and Bolsonaro came in first and second place with 48.4 percent of the electorate and 43.2 percent, respectively.
Gang Wars Wreak Instability in Haiti
Fights in Haiti have led to at least 20 deaths in the past few days, as rival gangs battle each other for control. Residents of the northern suburbs of Port-au-Prince have been suffering a devastating gang war since Sunday, April 24.
Mexico’s Electricity Reform Bill Fails
On Monday, Mexico’s House of Deputies rejected an electricity sector reform bill lobbied by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Brazil’s Superior Military Court Audio Proves Prisoners Were Tortured During Military Dictatorship Period
From the suspicious death of Zuzu Angel, a Brazilian fashion designer, to the alleged suicide of Vladmir Herzog, a Brazilian-Croatian journalist, the repression and violence of the 21 years of Military Dictatorship in Brazil are coming to light.
Chile Implements Water Rationing Plan
Chile is on its 13th year of drought, the longest it has seen in a thousand years. Water availability has decreased to 37 percent in the last 30 years, and this could potentially decrease by 50 percent by 2060.
Protests Against Peruvian Government Increase While Violence Rises
After more than eight hours of debate, Congress rejected the impeachment motion of President Pedro Castillo on the foundations of permanent moral incapacity. President Pedro Castillo and his lawyer showed up to the plenary session to exercise his defense, after which the debate of the congressmen and the vote took place.
Peruvian President Pedro Castillo Survives Second Impeachment Process
After more than eight hours of debate, Congress rejected the impeachment motion of President Pedro Castillo on the foundations of permanent moral incapacity. President Pedro Castillo and his lawyer showed up to the plenary session to exercise his defense, after which the debate of the congressmen and the vote took place.
El Salvador Declares a State of Emergency
El Salvador announced a state of emergency for thirty days in response to a dramatic uptick in homicides over the last weekend. Fourteen people were killed on Friday, and another 62 died on Saturday, the highest number in decades.
Signs of security cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands threatens stability in the entire region
Tensions in the Pacific rose after a leaked security agreement draft between China and the Solomon Islands circulated last week.
Argentina Agrees to a New Debt Program With The IMF
Argentina and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have come to an agreement on a new 30-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program that will restructure the country’s outstanding $45 billion debt. The Senate ratified the agreement on March 17 with a 56-13 vote, and the IMF Board of Directors approved the program on Friday.
Peruvian President Faces Second Impeachment Process
Years go by, presidents change, but history keeps repeating itself. Peruvian politics is once again facing a presidential impeachment process. On March 8, representatives of the Fuerza Popular, Renovación Popular and Avanza País parties succeeded in reaching the signatures needed to initiate an impeachment motion against President Pedro Castillo Terrones.
The Dominican Republic Announces a Border Wall With Haiti
The Dominican Republic has announced plans to create a concrete wall along the 392-kilometer border it shares with Haiti. It is expected to be 20 centimeters thick and 3.9 meters tall, with metal mesh along the top and 70 watchtowers.
Latin America Faces Economic Impact of Russian-Ukrainian War
If the world faces rain, Latin America is faced with a torrential storm. Following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a “special military operation” against Ukraine on Feb. 24, the continent has already seen a rise in the dollar’s value and the price of commodities such as oil, wheat, soybeans and copper.
President Bolsonaro Fights to Open Indigenous Amazon Lands for Mining Companies
The number of trees cut down in the Brazilian Amazon this past January was stratospheric, destroying the largest area in a month since records began in 2015. At COP26 last year, over 100 nations declared they would work to stop and reverse deforestation by 2030.
Ecuador and Colombia Loosen Restrictions on Abortion
Ecuador’s National Assembly voted to approve the decriminalization of abortions for pregnancies caused by rape. In addition, anyone over 18 can get an abortion within 12 weeks, while children are allowed 18 weeks.
Peruvian President Names Fourth Prime Minister
Earlier this month, Peruvian President Pedro Castillo appointed Anibal Torres as his fourth prime minister in half a year. The prime minister is the chief advisor to the president and helps appoint the cabinet—when one resigns, the cabinet is dissolved and each minister must be reappointed.
Mourning and Tears in the Imperial City of Petropolis, Brazil
Petropolis is a municipality located north of the state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Founded in 1843 by Emperor Dom Pedro II, it is often referred to as the "Imperial City," as it was his favorite route for moments of leisure and rest.
Argentina in the Modern Age: A Paradoxical Country
Argentina is perhaps the greatest paradox in Latin America. The “land of silver” boasts one of Latin America’s largest economies and serves as a prominent trade partner for the European Union, the United States, and China. It also shows political promise due to its status as one of the “most stable democracies” in the region.
A Fifth Journalist Was Killed in Mexico This Year
Yesterday, Mexico lost its fifth journalist this year. Heber Lopez, the director of Noticias Web, was killed at his office in Oaxaca. Since the beginning of 2022, four others — Roberto Toledo, Lourdes Maldonado López, Margarito Martínez, and José Luis Gamboa — have also lost their lives.