The Caribbean
Haiti: jobs missing at US-funded industrial park
The US State Department promised 65,000 jobs from a US-funded industrial park in northern Haiti; after 11 months, the number of jobs is all of 1,500.
Author: Weekly News Update on the Americas
Mexico
US spied on Brazilian and Mexican leaders
In the latest US intelligence scandal, the NSA is caught bragging about its ability to intercept messages to and from the presidents of Latin America’s two largest countries.
Southern Cone
Brazil: 300 arrested in new round of protests
Thousands of Brazilians took to the street again to demand better schools, hospitals and social services, and to protest the vast sums expended on new sports stadiums.
Southern Cone
Argentina: Mapuche block oil facility after fires
An indigenous Mapuche community blocked access to the Argentine state oil company’s wells and derricks after five of the village’s buildings were set on fire.
Mexico
Mexico passes ‘education reform’; demos continue
Peña Nieto has gotten Congress to pass three measures he says will improve public schools; teachers say the laws are part of a program for dumbing down the system.
Central America
Honduras: three campesinos killed at mine protest
Witnesses say two mine employees rode up to an anti-mining blockade, shot two protesters and then shot the owner of the house where the protesters had sought shelter.
Mexico
Mexico: thousands march against ‘energy reform’
President Peña Nieto’s “reforms” include higher sales taxes, teacher evaluations, loss of labor protections and energy sector privatization. Will opponents be able to unite against the plan?
Mexico
Mexico: delays in Shabazz murder inquiry protested
Afro-Mexican activists say the authorities are failing to investigate Malcolm Shabazz’s murder properly, just as happened with a Nigerian immigrant’s death in 2011.
The Caribbean
Haiti: will case against rights lawyer be dropped?
The legal case against human rights attorney Florvilus is reportedly being dropped, but Florvilus and his staff still face death threats for their efforts to help earthquake victims.
Central America
Honduras: Congress resurrects military police force
The Honduran government is planning to form a military police unit, despite the rights abuses that led to the abolition of the military police 1997. The US reportedly likes the idea.
Mexico
Mexico: migrants killed as ‘The Beast’ derails
As many as 300 undocumented Central American migrants may have been riding on top of a freight train when it derailed, killing six or more and leaving dozens injured.
Mexico
Mexico: teachers start new strike against ‘reform’
Dissident teachers continue to fight government efforts to change the education system—this time cutting off access to both houses of Congress and the Mexico City airport.