Stories about Latin America from October, 2015
Latin American Art Show in Italy Promotes Compassion for Refugees and Immigrants
MirgrArte Postale explores immigration through 125 art postcards by 96 artists from 14 countries.
Demonstrators in Peru March 180 Miles to Protest Lead Poisoning in Children
The mining wealth of Cerro de Pasco in Peru has poisoned children with lead, and several dozen people decided to stage a 300-kilometer march in protest.
Brazilian Activists Prosecuted for Giving Small Donations to Left-wing Parties
Hundreds of citizens are being criminally charged by the State Prosecutor's offices in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo for making micro-donations to crowdfunded campaigns of two grassroots political parties.
The Violent Life and Afterlife of Venezuela’s Slums
Funerals held for marginalized figures and criminals in Venezuela are full of guns, booze, and violence. What is this rite of passage, and what's it mean to society?
Manhunt for Drug Dealer ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán in Mexico Leaves Citizens Displaced and Property Damaged
Internally displaced persons and damaged property in North Mexico are the result of the army's clashes with the gangs aimed at recapturing the leader of the international Sinaloa drug cartel.
New Nicaraguan International Cooperation Policy Raises Questions of Transparent Finances
The dismissal of the representative for the UN system in Nicaragua is seen by some as a way to avoid a "Central American Spring."
Transgender Activist's Death Shows That Argentina’s Fight Against Gender Violence Is Far From Over
Hate crimes and gender violence are once again in the spotlight after the death of a prominent fighter for transgender rights in Argentina.
Drug Trade and War Against Organized Crime Create Ghost Towns in Mexico
Organized crime in Mexico and the violence that comes with it have created a mass of displaced people forced to leave their homes, creating "ghost towns" in their wake.
3 Mexicans Who Refuse to Stay Silent on Injustice
Father Solalinde, poet Javier Sicilia, and the families of 43 missing students in Ayotzinapa are all raising their voices against the problem of violence and impunity in the country.
This is How Ecuador Takes Action on the Cotopaxi Volcano Emergency
Ecuador President Correa has declared a state of emergency after an active volcano erupted south of Quito. This allows the state to use relief funds, but also permits media censorship.
A Musical Project in Mexico Dedicates Their Latest Work to ‘The 43 From #Ayotzinapa'… and It's Free to Download!
Santiaguero Collective, from Mexico, focuses on Creative Commons-licensed music reflecting the current social issues of the region and the country. Their latest work is dedicated to the missing Ayotzinapa students.
The South American Countries Most Vulnerable to El Niño Are Preparing to Welcome Its Fallout
The El Niño phenomenon has reached the South-American Pacific coast. Are the countries in the region prepared to minimize the damage this time? We check the status of disaster preparedness.
You May Not Know It—But If You Speak Spanish, You Speak Some Arabic Too
Joy Diaz speaks English and Spanish. When she met her daughter's Arabic-speaking teacher, she realized how many Arabic words she also knows.
Protests Over Las Bambas Mine Project in Peru Claim Four Lives and Leave Many Injured
Protests against the Las Bambas mining project have come to a point of calm after the violence that left four dead and several wounded in Peru.
Latin America and Spain Come Together on Columbus Day to Discuss Past and Present on Twitter
"In 1492 the indigenous peoples were expelled from their lands. In 2015, the same. There is still so much to do."
Did Pelé Stop the Bloodiest Civil War in Nigeria's History for 48 Hours?
Is it true that the Brazilian king of soccer ushered in a 48-hour ceasefire in Nigeria's bloody civil war? One writer did the research and has reason to doubt.
A Devastating Earthquake in 1985 Gave Rise to an ‘Awakening’ in Mexican Society
Thirty years after the devastating earthquake in Mexico City, we highlight the civil organization that in the midst of tragedy took over government tasks and marked a civic awakening.
A Landslide in Guatemala Killed More Than 200 People This Month. Here’s How You Can Help the Victims.
The Guatemalan Red Cross has put in place various measures to help the victims of a landslide in the town of El Cambray Dos that killed more than 200 people.
São Paulo Will Host the 2016 World Social Forum on Migrations
“The forum represents a recognition of the struggle over many years of social movements in the city, above all, that of immigrants, who are increasingly taking on more leadership roles"
‘Symphony for Peru’: Educating Children Through Music
Based on a belief that music can transform people's existence completely, a famous Peruvian tenor launched Symphony for Peru to help the country's disadvantaged children.
Brazilian Students Protest Against Government's Closure of Public Schools
"Instead of improving the quality of education of the whole state system...it seems that the Alckmin government is interested in getting rid of its best schools."