The Amazon
Brazil: Canadian gold mine loses license
More problems for Latin America's "Gold Rush": while controversy continues over the Belo Monte dam, a nearby gold mine is blocked by a judge.
Author: Weekly News Update on the Americas
Southern Cone
Chile: Bachelet promises new Mapuche policy
Chile's Socialist president Bachelet says she'll "achieve progress" on indigenous issues, but activists can't forget the lack of progress in her previous administration.
Central America
Central America: what’s causing child migration?
Hopes for leniency in the US drive the increase in child migration from Central America, according to the US media; activists and reporters from the region tell a different story.
The Caribbean
Cuba: foreign investment law takes effect
Europe, China and Russia look for new money-making opportunities as Cuba continues the process of opening up its economy.
Central America
Central America: US acts on child migrant ‘danger’
US officials designate the arrival of unaccompanied children at the border a security problem–and scramble to shift blame from Washington's own failed "drug war."
Mexico
Mexico: wages stay down in stalled economy
Two decades after NAFTA went into effect, Mexico has one of the worst-performing economies in the region. A warning for other countries on "free trade" deals?
The Caribbean
Haiti: Martelly harasses opponents, gets award
US entertainment and fashion celebrities honor Haiti's President Michel Martelly in New York—while his government imprisons opposition activists back home.
The Caribbean
Puerto Rico: austerity law may spark strike
Under pressure from US investors, the Puerto Rican government plans to crack down on its employees; the unions are threatening to respond with a general strike.
Southern Cone
Chile: HidroAysén dam project is scrapped
Years of protests have succeeded in blocking a giant dam project in southern Chile, but Barrick Gold is still working to reopen construction at its mammoth Pascua Lama mine.
Southern Cone
Brazil: homeless win some in the World Cup
Brazilian authorities managed to neutralize some—but only some—of the protesters seeking to disrupt the opening of the multi-billion dollar World Cup championship.
Central America
Guatemala: ex-police head convicted —in Europe
The fight against impunity in Guatemala moves to Europe: an ex-police chief is convicted in Switzerland, and an ex-interior minister awaits trial in Spain.
Mexico
Mexico: jailed activist’s family threatened
Guerrero community activist Nestora Salgado has been in prison since August without representation; now her family may be being targeted as well.