Category: Dispatches

Colombian Victims in Exile Fear Speaking Out

NEW YORK – Carlos, a middle aged man from southern Colombia, arrived in New York City last June, fleeing a series of death threats against him. “There was [a] high-ranking […] Read More >

In Nicaragua, the Campaign Trail is Replete With Memories of Revolution

MANAGUA, Nicaragua — On Friday, supporters of Nicaragua’s ruling Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional gathered in Managua to celebrate the 37th anniversary of the repliegue táctico a Masaya (“tactical retreat […] Read More >

Report of a Gang-Rape in Rio de Janeiro Shocks Brazil

BRASÍLIA — Shortly after midnight on Wednesday, 20-year-old Michel Brasil da Silva uploaded a 30-second clip to Twitter, accompanied by the words: “They smashed the chick. Do you get it […] Read More >

Brazil’s Rousseff Suspended From Office, Will Face Impeachment Trial

BRASÍLIA — The Brazilian Senate voted to approve an impeachment trial against President Dilma Rousseff on Thursday morning, following a marathon session that began on Wednesday and lasted nearly 22 […] Read More >

Impeachment Annulment Sends Brazil into a Tailspin

BRASÍLIA — The decision by Brazil’s newly minted lower house speaker to annul — and then un-anul — impeachment proceedings against President Rousseff threw the country into a fresh round […] Read More >

Reunification with Family in US is Bittersweet for Child Migrants

This article was originally published in Civic Ideas on April 18, 2016. NEW YORK — It is an uplifting image: a child seeing her mother for the first time after […] Read More >

In Brasília Protests, “Operation Carwash” Judge and Far-Right Congressman Emerge as Incompatible Heroes

BRASÍLIA, Brazil — On one side, the geeky, understated Brazilian judge overseeing the so-called Operation Carwash investigation into a massive kickback scheme at oil giant Petrobras. On the other, a […] Read More >

Child Migrants Face Challenges, But Are Kids Again on the Soccer Field

This article was originally published in Civic Ideas on February 17, 2016, and is the second in a two-part series. NEW YORK — On artificial turf at the foot of […] Read More >

Child Migrants Fight in Immigration Courts to Stay in U.S.

This article was originally published in Civic Ideas on February 17, 2016, and is the first in a two-part series. NEW YORK — Congregating on benches in a downtown Manhattan […] Read More >

Amid Police Violence Against Brazil’s Black Population, a Protest Movement Grows

RIO DE JANEIRO — After celebrating 16-year-old Roberto de Souza Penha’s first paycheck on a late November night, Souza and his four friends were shot to death in their car […] Read More >