Watching the Shadows

Wanted by Italy, ex-CIA agent is released to US

Panama detained but quickly released an ex-CIA agent wanted for kidnapping in Italy. Cuban sources link him to the Contragate scandal; since 2005 he's been living in Honduras.

The Andes

Edward Snowden and Ecuador press freedom

Edward Snowden seeks refuge in Ecuador, just as the Andean country has passed a media law protested by the Committee to Protect Journalists as imposing arbitrary censorship. 

The Caribbean

US lets ‘spy’ serve probation in Cuba

The US gave contradictory signals as it let one of the Cuban Five stay in Cuba and let Mariela Castro visit the Liberty Bell—but continued to pin a “terrorist” label on Cuba. 

The Caribbean

Yoani Sánchez speaks in New York City

Dissident Cuban blogger Yoani Sánchez spoke to a packed auditorium at New York University, challenged by audience members from both the left and the right.

The Caribbean

Cuba: imprisoned Spanish rightist is sent home

Spanish national Angel Carromero, sentenced to four years in Cuba for the car accident that killed dissidents Oswaldo Payá and Harold Cepero, will serve out his sentence in Spain. 

Palestine

Latin America protests attack on Gaza

The Mercosur trade bloc expressed “strongest condemnation of the violence unleashed between Israel and Palestine,” while Cuba and Venezuela issued stronger statements.