Lorne Matalon has been reporting from Mexico for The World since November 2007. He has covered the Mexican 'war on drugs' from the frontlines, going on patrol with the Mexican armed forces. Lorne also covered immigration and economic stories from south of the border. He has also reported from Venezuela for The World. Previously he worked at NPR Member Stations WUNC and WBUR, also filing for NPR from Haiti, Panama and Mongolia. Lorne is a contributor to National Geographic's Ethnosphere Project and a National Fellow at the Explorers Club of New York.
Drug cartels still in action
May 28th, 2009 Mexico's violent drug cartels didn't simply pack up and go home when the H1N1flu arrived. In fact they're just as active as before. The World's Lorne Matalon reports that the government has once again stepped up its attempts to beat back the cartels.
How Mexico is coping with swine flu
May 1st, 2009 The World's Lorne Matalon examines the psychological effect the swine flu outbreak has had so far on people in Mexico.
A doctor's day in Mexico City
April 30th, 2009
The World's Lorne Matalon profiles a pediatrician in one of Mexico City's hospitals. The doctor is struggling to care for his young patients and protect his own health amidst the swine flu outbreak.
Swine flu concern grows
April 28th, 2009
Many parts of the world are concerned about the same thing: swine flu. The World's Lorne Matalon has the latest from the hardest-hit country so far -- Mexico.
Drastic measures in Mexico City
April 27th, 2009
The World's Lorne Matalon has the latest from Mexico City on the swine flu outbreak there. Mexico's capital has essentially closed down, as authorities try to stop the spread of the swine flu virus.
Outbreak of swine flu
April 24th, 2009 At least 16 people in Mexico have died from what officials there say is a strain of influenza that originally came from pigs. Meanwhile, swine flu is also being reported in the southern United States. Anchor Katy Clark speaks with The World's Lorne Matalon in Mexico City.
Mexico visit previews Americas summit
April 17th, 2009
One topic President Obama is sure to be confronted with at the Summit of the Americas is Cuba. Mr. Obama had a preview of that during his visit to Mexico.
Obama visit
April 15th, 2009 President Obama is visiting Mexico to meet with President Felipe Calderón before they both take off to attend the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad & Tobago. The World's Lorne Matalon reports.
Clinton visit
March 26th, 2009 On "Day Two" of her Mexico trip Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the country's holiest shrine -- the Catholic Basilica of Guadalupe, and she stopped by a federal police command center in Mexico City. It was a show of support for Mexican authorities in their fight against the drug cartels. More than 7,000 people have died in the all-out war between the Mexican government and the cartels and in the fighting among the traffickers themsleves. Lorne Matalon covered the Clinton visit.
Juárez border war
March 17th, 2009 photo Lorne MatalonJuárez, Mexico, a stone's throw from El Paso, Texas represents an important business center for the United States, supplying dozens of U.S. companies with auto parts, electronics and other manufactured goods. But the city is under siege—a fact acknowledged by the Obama Administration—which is crafting contingency plans to send the National Guard to the border if conditions deteriorate further.
Audio slideshow: Buddhism in Mexico
March, 2009 Lorne Matalon visits a touring display of ancient Tibetan relics in Mexico City and tells us how Buddhism is gaining popularity in mostly-Catholic Mexico. Narration and all photos: Lorne Matalon. View the slideshow
Listen to the radio story:
Audio slideshow: Saint of Death
March, 2009 Mexico is experiencing a horrifying wave of violence. So it's not surprising that the religious cult, Santa Muerte - or the Saint of Death - has gained a following. Narration and all photos: Lorne Matalon. View the slideshow
Listen to the radio story:
Audio slideshow: Mexico's thriving art scene
November, 2008 Lorne Matalon explores Mexico's thriving art scene which has been attracting more and more foreign-born artists. Narration and all photos: Lorne Matalon. View the slideshow
Audio slideshow: Mexico kidnapping
October, 2008 With an escalating war between Mexico's drug cartels and the government, security is the number one issue as Mexico prepares for midterm elections next year. But adding to fears expressed by many Mexicans is a recent surge in kidnapping with victims from all social classes. Narration and all photos: Lorne Matalon. View the slideshow
update: In December 2008 the Mexican authorities told the family featured in this slideshow that they've positively identified remains found recently in the Mexico City area as those of abducted Silvia Vargas Escaleras.
Mexican view of the U.S. elections
October 21st, 2008
Mexicans watched the U.S. presidential race closely, with polls showing a split along socio-economic lines that mirrors that of Mexican society itself. But the vast majority of Mexicans surveyed say they support the Democratic Party.
Washington and Mexico's drug war
June 13th, 2008 There's a war taking place in Juárez and other cities across northern Mexico. It pits rival cartels fighting for control of the $ 40 billion dollar-a-year market for illegal drugs in the U.S. Trying to stop them are Mexican police backed by the Army. The Bush Administration was urging Congress to approve $ 1.4 billion in military and other assistance to help Mexico win the fight. But the money was mired in Congress
2008 Mexican tv report of a shootout in Tijuana
(en español)
Patroling the border
May 8th, 2008 In 2007 the United States deported a record number of undocumented Mexicans, but authorities along the U.S. -Mexico border say Mexicans seeking jobs continue to cross into the United States every day. People from other countries including Russia, Bangladesh and South Africa have also been caught trying to get into the U.S illegally.
Lorne Matalon accompanied a patrol in southern Texas. Read the illustrated story
Trucks from Mexico
May 6th, 2008
Some Mexican-made goods are being delivered throughout the United States on Mexican-owned trucks. That's saving consumers money. But American truckers say it's a bad idea. The World's Lorne Matalon reports from Juárez, Mexico.
The drug war in Juárez, Mexico
May 5th, 2008
The border area between the United States and Mexico has become so violent that the State Department issued a travel alert last month (Apr 2008). The warning says, "A war between criminal organizations for control of the lucrative narcotics trade continues along the border. Foreign visitors, including Americans, have been among the victims." It's one thing for visitors to avoid the border cities or at least to be alert to their surroundings. It's another thing for the folks who live there.
On patrol with the Mexican army
March 13th, 2008 Mexico's President Felipe Calderón made the fight against drug cartels a national priority. He's ordered the Mexican Army to spear-head the effort. That means soldiers are heading into drug cartel territory to track down traffickers and destroy illegal crops. Lorne Matalon rode along on one such mission, in the northern Mexican state of Sinaloa. Read the illustrated story
Press freedom on trial
February 7th, 2008
Mexico is not the most dangerous country for journalists, other nations compete for that dubious distinction. But Mexican reporters do risk their lives when they cover the nation's drug traffickers. And some of them face intimidation from government officials unhappy with their work. The World's Lorne Matalon reports on one case in the latter category that could end up before the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Read the illustrated story
Mexico's corn farmers
January 15th, 2008
It's been 14 years since the North American Free Trade Agreement took effect. Farm trade between the United States and Mexico immediately soared. It's now four times what it was the year before NAFTA was signed. Two weeks ago, the few remaining trade restrictions on farm goods were dropped. U.S. officials is calling the move a win for farmers in both countries. But the reaction south of the border is quite different. Mexican farmers are taking to the streets in protest. The World's Lorne Matalon reports from Xochimilco, Mexico. Read the illustrated story
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