The Caribbean
Cuba: US agrees to normalize relations
After 53 years the US has finally decided to restore relations with Cuba. Alan Gross and the Cuban Five are free, some restrictions are eased, but the embargo continues.
Author: Weekly News Update on the Americas
The Caribbean
Cuba: leftists, US firms praise new policy
The new Cuba policy is popular in Latin America and has gained majority support in the US. Meanwhile, US corporations are lining up to get a piece of the action.
The Caribbean
Cuba: USAID head quits after latest scandal
After three exposés in one year about USAID "democracy promotion" programs in Cuba, the agency's head is out at last. His record in Haiti hasn't been that much better.
The Andes
Venezuela: US imposes sanctions on officials
The US government turns out to be opposed to police brutality, as long as it takes place in the streets of Caracas.
The Caribbean
Haiti: UN ‘peacekeepers’ fire on protesters
As President Martelly takes steps to calm protests down, UN troops seem to be escalating by intervening in a march—a video shows them firing in the direction of protesters.
Mexico
Mexico: official Ayotzinapa story questioned
The Mexican government attributes the massacre of students in September entirely to local corruption and drug dealing. A new report raises the possibility of a cover-up.
Watching the Shadows
Latin America: IACHR calls for CIA torture probe
While many in the US seemed shocked by the Senate's torture report, some US media wrote honestly about the "direct line" from torture in Latin America to the post-9-11 version.
Mexico
Mexico: one of missing students confirmed dead
Austrian experts have identified remains of one of 43 missing Guerrero students. Meanwhile, the authorities want laws to limit the protests over the students' abduction.
Mexico
Mexico: protests link Ayotzinapa, Ferguson, Garner
Mexican protesters in the US see a link between police killings in the two countries. "Our governments are working together to oppress us, so why shouldn't we be working together?"
Central America
Costa Rica: state to compensate Nemagon victims
After decades of effort, some 14,000 ex-banana workers are finally getting compensation for their exposure to a dangerous pesticide in Costa Rica.
Southern Cone
Chile: four women file sexual torture complaint
A group of Chilean women are trying to have the courts recognize the sort of sexual violence they suffered during the Pinochet dictatorship as a separate category of crime.
The Andes
Colombia: US embassy staff beat GM protesters
On a day when US labor activists charged that GM has bribed Colombian officials, US embassy personnel in Colombia were assaulting injured GM workers at a protest.