Category: Regions

FARC Rebels Reject Plebiscite Proposal to Finalize Colombian Peace Deal

Top Story — Colombian rebel group FARC rejected proposed legislation on Monday that would put a final peace agreement with the government up for popular vote, stalling progress in the peace negotiations […] Read More >

Ecuador Proceeds With Historic Rights Abuse Case Against Former Officers

Top Story — Five former Ecuadorian military officers and an ex-police officer will face charges of human rights abuses as the country’s first-ever trial for crimes against humanity begins today, […] Read More >

16 Feared Dead, Hundreds Displaced After Mining Dams Burst in Brazil

Top Story — Two dams holding iron-mine wastewater broke in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais on Thursday, flooding the nearby town of Bento Rodrigues with water, mud and potentially […] Read More >

Mexico’s Supreme Court Rules Prohibition of Marijuana Use Unconstitutional

Top Story — Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday in favor of allowing the four members of a marijuana-rights organization to grow and smoke their own marijuana, a move that […] Read More >

Guatemala President-Elect Doubles Down on Anti-Corruption Pledges

Top Story — In an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Guatemala’s President-elect Jimmy Morales said he will work to strengthen the mandate of domestic and international anti-corruption bodies […] Read More >

Colombia’s ELN Promises Hostage Release, Asks For Catholic Church Role in Peace Talks

Top Story — Colombia’s leftist guerrilla National Liberation Army announced Monday that it will free two soldiers kidnapped following a recent deadly raid, and on the same day appealed to […] Read More >

UN Refugee Agency Sounds Alarm on Violence Against Women in Central America, Mexico

WASHINGTON — Norma witnessed routine gunfights and murders when she lived in El Salvador. She paid a biweekly cuota, or street tax, to the Barrio 18 gang members controlling her […] Read More >

Sexual Harassment on Mexican TV Show Sparks Debate, Calls for Government Investigation

Top Story — A potentially pre-planned instance of sexual harassment between a male presenter and his female co-host on Mexican television last week has sparked a national debate on sexism and […] Read More >

Accusations of Electoral Fraud Threaten Results, Peace in Haiti

Top Story — Despite initial reports of a lack of violence or fraud during Haiti’s municipal, legislative and presidential elections held Sunday, new concerns regarding potential illegal activity have arisen. Some […] Read More >

Colombia Government May Call Cease-Fire in January

Top Story — Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos plans to call a bilateral ceasefire starting on the first day of 2016 if negotiators from the government and the Revolutionary Armed […] Read More >