Tag: <span>Latin America News Dispatch</span>

US, Cuba to Open Embassies

The United States and Cuba will open embassies on one another’s soil on Monday, a historic culmination of the two countries’ promise in December to normalize relations after more than […] Read More >

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 >

Strategy, Cease-Fires and Public Opinion: Inside Colombia’s Peace Process

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — On Sunday, diplomats in Havana, Cuba announced that the Colombian government will de-escalate its military campaign against the FARC rebel group, if that group adheres to the […] Read More >

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 >

With a New Unilateral Truce, New Bilateral Challenges for Colombia’s Peace Process

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, announced on Wednesday that it will institute a month-long unilateral ceasefire, beginning on July 20. The truce called by […] Read More >

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 >

In Televised Address, Puerto Rico’s Governor Says Island’s Debt Is “Unpayable”

Top Story — In a televised speech delivered in a somber tone on Monday, Puerto Rican Gov. Alejandro García Padilla said that Puerto Rico’s $73 billion public debt is “unpayable,” […] Read More >

Brazil’s Inflation Rises as Growth Forecast is Cut

Top Story — The Brazilian central bank issued a dismal economic forecast on Wednesday, predicting a contraction of the gross domestic product by 1.1 percent in 2015 and a nine […] Read More >

Venezuelan Government Announces December Elections, Fulfilling Longtime Opposition Demand

Top Story — Venezuela’s electoral council on Monday set a date of Dec. 6 for legislative elections, fulfilling a long-held demand of the political opposition, which is currently polling favorably […] Read More >

The Roots of Colombia’s Peace Talk Crisis

BOGOTÁ, Colombia — The ongoing peace talks between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, could end more than 50 years of internal armed conflict. […] Read More >