Latin America
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.
Progressive or Not: New Honduras Amnesty Law Casts Doubt on Anti-Corruption Platform
Xiomara Castro, member of the left-wing Libre party and President of Honduras, campaigned on rooting out the corruption that has plagued the country. Prior to Castro’s election, the right-wing National Party’s regime was associated with narco-political scandals, with some allegations of systemic corruption tying government members at every level with major organized crime groups.
