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.
July 14, 2015 > Staff
Senior Prison Officials Fired as Hunt for “El Chapo” Intensifies
Top Story — The head of Mexico’s prison system as well as two other prison officials, including the director of the Altiplano maximum-security prison from which powerful drug lord Joaquín […] Read More >
July 13, 2015 > Staff
In Historic Step, Colombia to Curtail Military Action Against FARC
Top Story —The Colombian government will decrease military activity against FARC rebels, provided that the leftist guerrilla group upholds a recently announced unilateral ceasefire, according to a statement made Sunday […] Read More >
July 10, 2015 > Staff
Pope Apologizes For Colonial-Era Church Abuses
Top Story — Pope Francis publicly apologized on Thursday for the abuses committed by the Catholic Church against the indigenous populations of the Americas during the colonial period, using stronger […] Read More >
July 9, 2015 > Staff
After Hiccups in Colombia’s Peace Talks, Rebels Announce Unilateral Ceasefire
Top Story — Colombia’s FARC rebels on Wednesday announced they will observe a unilateral ceasefire starting on July 20, a positive sign amid a recent escalation of tensions between the […] Read More >
July 8, 2015 > Staff
Former Guatemalan Dictator on Trial For Genocide Declared “Unfit”
Top Story — An official team of government-backed doctors declared 89-year-old former Guatemalan dictator Jose Efraín Ríos Montt is “mentally incompetent,” a consensus that could stall his ongoing trial on […] Read More >
July 7, 2015 > Staff
Pope Francis Draws Half a Million to Ecuador Mass
Top Story — Pope Francis held mass in the Ecuadorian port city of Guayaquil on Monday, drawing more than half a million people from across the country. The pontiff arrived […] Read More >
July 6, 2015 > Staff
Wikileaks Reveals Details of NSA Spying on Brazil
Top Story — The whistleblower website Wikileaks has released documents detailing the extent of the U.S. surveillance that targeted Brazil’s president and others, causing a major diplomatic row in 2013. […] Read More >
July 3, 2015 > Staff
Latin America News Dispatch is Celebrating Independence Day
Happy Fourth of July weekend! Our staff is taking a break to celebrate Independence Day, but we’ll be back on Monday. ¡Feliz día de la independencia! — The LAND staff Read More >
July 2, 2015 > Staff
Brazilian Congress Rejects Controversial Bill Regarding Age of Criminal Responsibility
Top Story — Brazil’s Lower Congressional House voted against a controversial constitutional amendment that would have lowered the age of criminal responsibility from 18 to 16. The proposed bill, which […] Read More >
July 1, 2015 > Staff
U.S., Cuba Will Announce Embassy Openings
Top Story — The United States and Cuba are expected to announce Wednesday the details of their plans to open embassies for the first time in more than 50 years, […] Read More >