Posts By: Mike Samras
Mike earned degrees in political science and journalism from the University of Pittsburgh. After graduating from college in 2006, Mike joined the Peace Corp and spent two and half years living and working in El Salvador. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in political management at George Washington University.
April 21, 2010 > Staff
Catholic Abuse Scandal Hits Brazil; Chilean Church Asks Victims For Forgiveness
Today in Latin America Top Story — A Brazilian priest accused of pedophilia and engaging in sexual conduct with boys as young as 12, was detained by police following a […] Read More >
April 20, 2010 > Staff
Edwin Valero Found Dead In Jail Cell On Day of Venezuela’s Bicentennial
Today in Latin America Top Story — Boxing champion Edwin Valero was found hanged with his own clothes in his jail cell early Monday morning. The Venezuelan police said he […] Read More >
April 19, 2010 > Staff
Ecuador’s President Correa Calls for More Oil Revenue; Threatens To Nationalize Foreign Companies
Today in Latin America Top Story — Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said he will push legislation to allow the expropriation of private oil companies from Spain, Brazil, Italy and China if […] Read More >
April 16, 2010 > Staff
Colombia’s DAS Carried Out “Political Warfare” Against Journalist Hollman Morris, Files Indicate
Today in Latin America Top Story — Documents posted to the Center of International Policy’s “Plan Colombia and Beyond” blog indicate that the Department of Administrative Security in Colombia coordinated […] Read More >
April 14, 2010 > Staff
Mexico’s Drug War May Have Caused More Deaths Than Previously Thought, New Report Shows
Today in Latin America Top Story — The death toll from Mexico’s war on drug cartels may be much higher than reported by the Mexican media, according to a new, […] Read More >
April 14, 2010 > Staff
Cocaine Hidden in Truck from Dakar Rally Seized in Spain; Shipment Originated from Argentina
Today in Latin America Top Story — Spanish police seized 1,760 pounds of cocaine hidden in a truck used as a backup vehicle in the Dakar Rally, an off-road car […] Read More >
April 13, 2010 > Staff
Brazil and U.S. Sign First Major Military Cooperation Agreement Since 1977; Some Tensions Remain
Today in Latin America Top Story – The United States and Brazil signed their first major military cooperation agreement in decades on Monday in Washington. The agreement provides for cooperation […] Read More >
April 12, 2010 > Staff
U.S. Consulate in Nuevo Laredo Attacked with Explosive as Drug Violence Rises in Northern Mexico
Today in Latin America Top Story – Unidentified assailants threw an explosive over the fence of the U.S. Consulate in the border city Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, reigniting anxieties that U.S. […] Read More >
April 9, 2010 > Staff
Chile Hands Over Highly Enriched Uranium To the United States
Today in Latin America Top Story — Chile became one of the first countries to hand over highly enriched uranium (HEU) from its nuclear reactors to the United States for […] Read More >
April 8, 2010 > Staff
Peru’s Nationalist Party Attempts To Remove President Alán García After Violence Against Miners
Today in Latin America Top Story — The Nationalist Party of Peru brought a motion before Congress Wednesday that declared President Alán García “morally unfit” to finish his term, due […] Read More >