South America

a group of tourists take photos of the birds perched on the balcony rails

Macaws lighten things up in Venezuela’s capital, and form a special bond with residents

Blue and gold macaws, a species non-native to the city, have developed a relationship with the residents of Caracas, Venezuela. However, the birds’ future is uncertain as their habitats are becoming increasingly endangered.

Macaws lighten things up in Venezuela’s capital, and form a special bond with residents
Group of people at night sitting on motorized wheelchairs

Wheelchair tours show Colombia’s Medellín from a different perspective

Wheelchair tours show Colombia’s Medellín from a different perspective
Tourists stroll down a street that is packed with bars and restaurants, in Medellin's Provenza neighborhood.

Medellín was one of the world’s most dangerous cities. Now, it's trying to grapple with an influx of tourists.

Medellín was one of the world’s most dangerous cities. Now, it's trying to grapple with an influx of tourists.
People marching in street with a Panamanian flag

Copper mine protests roil in Panama

Copper mine protests roil in Panama
man at piano

Artist Daniel Jobim honors the musical legacy of his grandfather, a bossa nova pioneer

Artist Daniel Jobim honors the musical legacy of his grandfather, a bossa nova pioneer
prison getting raided

What is behind the seizure of Venezuela's most-notorious prison?

In Venezuela, security forces recently seized one of the country’s most-notorious prisons, with the mission of dismantling a transnational criminal gang that was ruled from inside. But the head of the gang was able to escape, and now, countries across South America are searching for him.

What is behind the seizure of Venezuela's most-notorious prison?
Aerial view of the village of Mutucal, Mãe Grande Curuçá Extractive Reserve.

Rural communities in the Amazon face a complex world of carbon credits

Brazil has embraced carbon credits as a way to protect the Amazon and mitigate climate change. But many community activists in the Amazon say carbon offset projects can be problematic.

Rural communities in the Amazon face a complex world of carbon credits
people in line with signs

Victims of Guatemalan military seek justice for war crimes 

​​​​​​​Supporters of newly elected Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo say that the nation’s courts have long favored the elites including some former military members. But now under Arévalo, whose victory is under dispute, they say that they hope for change, including for the victims of war crimes committed during Guatemala’s civil war.

Victims of Guatemalan military seek justice for war crimes 

Nicaragua seizes Jesuit university in latest clash between president and Catholic Church

In Nicaragua, last week, a judge ordered the seizure of the country’s most-important Jesuit university, the 63-year-old Central American University. It’s the latest in an ongoing government crackdown on the Catholic Church and church-affiliated institutions inside Nicaragua.

Nicaragua seizes Jesuit university in latest clash between president and Catholic Church
sidewalk

Colombian activists try to shame city government into fixing broken sidewalks — by painting them pink

In Colombia's capital city Bogotá, pedestrians need to watch out for loose slabs of pavement they can trip over, or wobbly tiles that get their feet wet or splash dirty water on their pants. But some activists have started trying to shame the city into making repairs more quickly by covering the broken spots with pink paint and black Xs. 

Colombian activists try to shame city government into fixing broken sidewalks — by painting them pink
exhibit

Argentines document European ancestry to migrate to the EU

Millions of Europeans, especially from Italy and Spain, migrated to Argentina between the 19th and 20th centuries. Their descendants are now reclaiming their rights to return to Europe. 

Argentines document European ancestry to migrate to the EU
fishermen with dead sharks

The illegal trade of shark fin is thriving in South America

Peru is the world's largest exporter of shark fins, according to the marine protection organization Oceana. The catches are usually sent to Asia, where shark fin soup is a delicacy that can cost about $200 a bowl. This lucrative trade is threatening species of sharks off the coasts of Peru and neighboring Ecuador.

The illegal trade of shark fin is thriving in South America
protest

Colombia starts ceasefire with nation's oldest rebel group 

A six-month ceasefire between the Colombian government and the rebel group known as the National Liberation Army began this month. Support for the truce, and ongoing peace talks, could depend on whether the group ceases attacks on civilians that include kidnappings and extortion. 

Colombia starts ceasefire with nation's oldest rebel group 
Urchin perch on live coral (left) with fossil coral, the foundation of the live reef, in the foreground, live reef in the background.

Galapagos discovery offers clues to climate impact on deep-sea corals

Scientists say research into newly found reefs could lead to important conservation efforts

Galapagos discovery offers clues to climate impact on deep-sea corals
a man standing in front of a colorful bottle cap mural

Venezuelan artist uses recycled bottle caps to create large eco-murals

Oscar Olivares plans to take his ecological art global in hopes of promoting sustainable practices and educating communities on how to recycle.

Venezuelan artist uses recycled bottle caps to create large eco-murals