Category: Blog

El Salvadoran Hostage Crisis Ends after Several Hours

Today in Latin America Top Story — A farmer and his son in El Salvador held 30 people hostage for several hours at an evangelical church north of the capital […] Read More >

Venezuela Plans to Release 20,000 Prisoners

A Venezuelan government minister said Sunday that the country plans to reduce its prison population by some 40 percent, due to overcrowding. Venezuela’s new minister of penitentiary services, Iris Varela, […] Read More >

Ecuador’s Rafael Correa Joins Twitter

Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa became the latest Latin American leader to join the social media site Twitter, posting his first tweet on Friday evening. “Hello Everyone, I’m in a meeting […] Read More >

Venezuela’s Chávez Celebrates Birthday; Claims To Feel Like A “Phoenix”

Top Story — Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez celebrated his 57th birthday on Thursday, claiming to feel “like the phoenix” as he battles cancer.  Speaking to Venezuelan state television, Chávez declared […] Read More >

Humala Sworn In As Peru’s New President; Promises Growth Will Include Poor

Peru swore in Ollanta Humala as the country’s new president Thursday, succeeding outgoing president Alán García. Humala, a former lieutenant colonel in the Peruvian army, campaigned on a platform of […] Read More >

Colombian Court Tells Congress To Rule On Gay Marriage

Today in Latin America Top Story — In a move heralded by gay rights activists, Colombia’s Constitutional Court ruled that the issue of same-sex marriage is a legislative matter that […] Read More >

Mexico Sentences 15-Year Old American-Born Killer To Prison

Today in Latin America Top Story— Mexican authorities sentenced a 15-year old, American-born boy to three years in prison for torturing and murdering four people. Edgar Jiménez Lugo, who went by […] Read More >

Ciudad Juárez Prison Riot Leaves At Least 17 Dead

At least 17 people, inlcuding one woman, were killed during a shootout in a prison in the Mexican border of Ciudad Juárez. Authorities said that inmates who were attempting to breakout […] Read More >

Ciudad Juárez Human Trafficking Raid: Mexican Police Detain Over 1,000

Today in Latin America Top Story — More than 1,000 people were detained over the weekend in Ciudad Juárez during raids aimed at combatting human trafficking. Two dozen bars, hotels […] Read More >

U.S. Slaps Sanctions On Mexico’s Zetas And Other Crime Groups

The United States unveiled Monday strict, new sanctions aimed at combating international organized crime groups, including Mexico’s violent Zetas drug cartel. U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order that […] Read More >