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.
August 27, 2018 > Staff
Colombia’s anti-corruption referendum fails to pass quorum despite 99% support
TODAY IN LATIN AMERICA COLOMBIA: An anti-corruption referendum held yesterday barely failed to meet the minimum number of votes required, although each of the seven proposals had more than 99% […] Read More >
August 24, 2018 > Staff
All nine judges of Ecuador’s highest court were dismissed in what former president called “a true coup”
TODAY IN LATIN AMERICA ECUADOR: The transitory Citizens Participation and Social Control Council dismissed all nine justices of the nation’s highest court on the argument that there had been a […] Read More >
August 23, 2018 > Staff
OAS calls Venezuela a “dictatorship” and asks other countries ignore extradition requests related to explosives attack
TODAY IN LATIN AMERICA VENEZUELA: The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States issued yesterday a press release urging its member countries to “ignore extradition requests from the […] Read More >
August 22, 2018 > Staff
Brazil’s jailed former president Lula increases lead in presidential race
TODAY IN LATIN AMERICA BRAZIL: Two surveys, the first major polls since presidential candidacies were officially registered last week, both showed jailed former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva […] Read More >
August 21, 2018 > Staff
New Venezuelan currency tied to oil price and with five fewer zeroes began circulating yesterday
TODAY IN LATIN AMERICA VENEZUELA: The new currency with five lopped zeroes announced weeks ago by President Nicolás Maduro began circulating yesterday after a bank “blackout” the night before […] Read More >
August 20, 2018 > Staff
Venezuelan migrants attacked in Brazil and stopped from reaching Ecuador
TODAY IN LATIN AMERICA VENEZUELA-BRAZIL-ECUADOR-PERU: The residents of a Brazilian border town with Venezuela, in the northern state of Roraima, attacked squatter camps of Venezuelan migrants over the weekend. […] Read More >
August 17, 2018 > Staff
Environmental Indigenous activist is killed in Brazil amid conflict with logging mafias
TODAY IN LATIN AMERICA BRAZIL: An indigenous leader was allegedly murdered by logging mafias over the weekend in the northern state of Maranhão, authorities confirmed yesterday that they are […] Read More >
August 16, 2018 > Staff
Mario Abdo Benítez is sworn in as Paraguay’s new president
TODAY IN LATIN AMERICA PARAGUAY: Mario Abdo Benítez was sworn in yesterday as Paraguay’s new president. The right-wing former lawmaker promised to continue business-friendly policies and to combat poverty and […] Read More >
August 15, 2018 > Staff
Colombian intelligence agency ex-deputy chief is convicted of 1999 murder of popular comedian Jaime Garzón
TODAY IN LATIN AMERICA COLOMBIA: The former deputy chief of the state intelligence agency was sentenced to 30 years in prison yesterday for the murder in 1999 of popular comedian, […] Read More >
August 14, 2018 > Staff
Former Argentina President Cristina Fernández testifies in court, denies wrongdoing and accuses judge of political motives
TODAY IN LATIN AMERICA ARGENTINA: Former president Cristina Fernández appeared before a court in Buenos Aires yesterday but declined to speak and instead presented a written statement denying any wrongdoing […] Read More >