Latin America
Federal Judge Ends Title 42’s Migrant Expulsion of Asylum Seekers
On Tuesday, US District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan blocked Title 42, an emergency regulation that allowed the expulsion of migrants due to threats of COVID-19.
Lula at COP-27. Promises “Zero Deforestation” by 2030.
Brazilian President-Elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced Brazil's promise to reach "zero deforestation" by 2030 in his speech at the COP-27 Climate Summit hosted in Egypt.
Can Lula Reunite Brazil?
After a tense month of campaigning in Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was elected President a third time with 50.9 percent of the votes.
Supporters of Brazil’s Bolsonaro Call for a Military Coup
Brazil held a second round of presidential elections after no candidate won an outright majority in the first round on Oct. 2. The runoff race was between the incumbent far-right Jair Bolsonaro and leftist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Mexico and US Meet to Discuss Joint Climate Efforts
Mexico's president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) announced US support for advancing Mexico’s Sonora Plan on Monday. The latest of Mexico’s climate initiatives aims to capitalize on the potential of sustainable energy capacity in the coastal city of Puerto Peñasco, in the state of Sonora.
El Salvadoran Crackdown on Gang Violence Leads to Prison Overcrowding
El Salvador’s crackdown on gang violence has resulted in over 55,000 arrests since March. As the number of detentions surges, the prison population has more than doubled.
Santa Cruz Initiates Indefinite Strike Against Bolivian Government Over Census
The city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia leveraged an indefinite strike against the federal government’s decision to delay an overdue population and housing census on Saturday. It is challenging the Bolivian Movement for Socialism (MAS) government’s decision to postpone the census until 2024.
Mexico’s Militarization of Public Security Accelerates
Last Friday, Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies voted to keep the military on the streets until 2028.
Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo Becomes a Provisory Camp for Afghans Escaping the Taliban Regime
Early last week, 181 Afghan migrants escaping the Taliban regime were forced to camp in Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo upon their arrival in Brazil.
Chile Rejects Proposed Constitution as Too Progressive
Thirty-two years have passed since Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet left office, but the constitution established during his rule is still in place. The main objective of the current administration, under President Gabriel Boric, has been to write a new one—a task completed one month ago. However, a surprisingly high 62 percent of Chilean voters rejected the proposal.
Attorney General Files Constitutional Complaint Against Peruvian President, Alleges Corruption Within Government
A little more than a year after taking office, Pedro Castillo, Peru’s president, faces a constitutional complaint filed by the country’s attorney general against him on Tuesday. “We have found very serious indications of a criminal organization that has taken roots in the government,” said Patricia Benavides, Peru’s top prosecutor, in a statement to congress.
Energy Crises Across the World Bring Gaze Back to Venezuela’s Oil Reserves
Amidst one of its worst energy crises, the United States is considering resuming oil pumping in Venezuela after years of imposing intense economic sanctions on the South American country. Though the deal is not yet finalized, the Biden administration has already established that this will only happen if Nicolás Maduro, the incumbent head of state of Venezuela, engages in talks with opposition parties to determine the necessary conditions to hold fair presidential elections in 2024.
Mexico files lawsuit against US gun manufacturers for their role in trafficking and violence
In a speech to Mexico's Senate, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard announced that Mexico will file a new lawsuit against several US gun manufacturers in Arizona. Before this announcement, the Mexican government had already brought lawsuits against US companies that they claim are contributing to the illegal arms trade in Mexico.
The Votes Are In: Brazilian Elections Reveal a Polarized Country with an Uncertain Fate
On Sunday, Oct. 2, Brazil held its first round of presidential and congressional elections. With 99.98 percent of the votes counted by Sunday evening, the ballots showed that top contenders Lula and Bolsonaro came in first and second place with 48.4 percent of the electorate and 43.2 percent, respectively.
Gang Wars Wreak Instability in Haiti
Fights in Haiti have led to at least 20 deaths in the past few days, as rival gangs battle each other for control. Residents of the northern suburbs of Port-au-Prince have been suffering a devastating gang war since Sunday, April 24.
Mexico’s Electricity Reform Bill Fails
On Monday, Mexico’s House of Deputies rejected an electricity sector reform bill lobbied by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Brazil’s Superior Military Court Audio Proves Prisoners Were Tortured During Military Dictatorship Period
From the suspicious death of Zuzu Angel, a Brazilian fashion designer, to the alleged suicide of Vladmir Herzog, a Brazilian-Croatian journalist, the repression and violence of the 21 years of Military Dictatorship in Brazil are coming to light.
Chile Implements Water Rationing Plan
Chile is on its 13th year of drought, the longest it has seen in a thousand years. Water availability has decreased to 37 percent in the last 30 years, and this could potentially decrease by 50 percent by 2060.
Protests Against Peruvian Government Increase While Violence Rises
After more than eight hours of debate, Congress rejected the impeachment motion of President Pedro Castillo on the foundations of permanent moral incapacity. President Pedro Castillo and his lawyer showed up to the plenary session to exercise his defense, after which the debate of the congressmen and the vote took place.
Peruvian President Pedro Castillo Survives Second Impeachment Process
After more than eight hours of debate, Congress rejected the impeachment motion of President Pedro Castillo on the foundations of permanent moral incapacity. President Pedro Castillo and his lawyer showed up to the plenary session to exercise his defense, after which the debate of the congressmen and the vote took place.