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.

Obama Signs Bill Authorizing Sanctions Against Venezuelan Officials

The Latin America News Dispatch will take a short break from publishing our daily newsletter Today in Latin America to celebrate the holidays. Felices Fiestas from the Latin America News […] Read More >

Latin America Lauds U.S., Cuba Breakthrough

Top Story — World leaders have almost universally praised the U.S. and Cuban governments for their announcement Wednesday that they would normalize diplomatic relations for the first time since 1961. […] Read More >

Transcript: Obama’s Cuba Speech

Below is a full transcript of President Obama’s speech on Cuba. A video of the speech can be found following the transcript. OBAMA: Good afternoon. Today, the United States of […] Read More >

U.S., Cuba to Restore Diplomatic Ties, But Embargo Remains

The U.S. and Cuba will work to normalize diplomatic relations for the first time since 1961, President Obama said Wednesday, a major shift in policy that nonetheless falls short of […] Read More >

Charges Filed Against Brazilian Lawmaker After Rape Remarks

Top Story — Brazil’s attorney general filed charges of incitement to rape against Brazilian congressman Jair Bolsonaro after he made violent comments to a fellow lawmaker in Congress last Tuesday, […] Read More >

Haitian Prime Minister Defends Record After Resignation

Top Story — Haiti’s Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe spoke out on Monday, defending his legacy after an independent commission set up by President Michel Martelly pressured him to resign over […] Read More >

Mexican Federal Police Implicated in Student Killings

Top Story — Federal authorities in Mexico appear to have participated in the September attack on a group of teacher trainees in the state of Guerrero, contrary to prior government […] Read More >

Brazil Charges 36 Over Petrobras Corruption Scandal

Top Story — Brazilian prosecutors on Thursday filed criminal charges against 36 people for alleged involvement in a massive kickback scheme at oil giant Petrobras, Brazil’s largest company, which is […] Read More >

Nicaraguan Protesters March Against Canal Project

Top Story — Thousands marched through the Nicaraguan capital of Managua on Wednesday to protest the construction of a transoceanic canal, two weeks ahead of the project’s start-date. The demonstrators […] Read More >

U.S., U.N. Call for Resolution of Deadlock in Haiti Amid Unrest

Top Story — The U.S. government and the United Nations have urged Haitian authorities to settle a political dispute that has been years in the making, amid protests calling for […] Read More >