Latin America

Group of people at night sitting on motorized wheelchairs

Wheelchair tours show Colombia’s Medellín from a different perspective

In Colombia, one company is introducing visitors to the city of Medellín by taking them around on wheelchairs that are pulled by electric handbikes and can reach speeds of about 25 mph. The tours are led by people with disabilities and are part of a broader effort to make the city more accessible to all, led by a very persistent businessman. Manuel Rueda reports.

Wheelchair tours show Colombia’s Medellín from a different perspective
portrait photo of a woman

'She is the evolution of reggaeton': The rise of trans Puerto Rican artist Villano Antillano

'She is the evolution of reggaeton': The rise of trans Puerto Rican artist Villano Antillano
Rising poverty, unemployment, and inflation have plagued Costa Rica. Every few blocks, a person is passed out or sleeping on the street.

‘This is not a peaceful country’: Violence and poverty soar in Costa Rica

‘This is not a peaceful country’: Violence and poverty soar in Costa Rica
close-up shot of Honduran President Castro wearing a mask

Honduras' first female leader faces tough times

Honduras' first female leader faces tough times
A mural with the words "Patria y Vida," or "Homeland and Life," a twist on the Cuban national motto, "Homeland or Death."

In Miami, Cuban American progressives promote civic engagement ahead of midterms

In Miami, Cuban American progressives promote civic engagement ahead of midterms
Workers move a box of freshly caught squid in Pucusana, Peru, Monday, Sept. 20, 2021.

A state-owned company from China is building a massive commercial port in Peru

Experts say the port will be a new milestone for shipping trade between China and Latin America. But many people in the town of Chancay, where the port will be located, are not happy about it and say their lives will be changed forever.

A state-owned company from China is building a massive commercial port in Peru
A drone sprays insecticide near homes on the outskirts of Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. Brazil's health ministry launched a campaign to fight the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue, zika and chikungunya, diseases that can generate

Brazil's public health workers race to tackle dengue surge

Heavy rains and a lull in public health prevention programs during the pandemic have allowed the deadly mosquito-borne disease to flourish.

Brazil's public health workers race to tackle dengue surge
Protesters hold a banner with a message that reads in Spanish: "Duque, stop the massacres," directed at Colombia's President Ivan Duque, as they march to Bolivar Square in Bogotá, Colombia, Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

Discourse of justice: Part I

Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter by Inkstick Media, takes a deep dive this week into the ways in which human rights discourse is politics by other means.

Discourse of justice: Part I
Eneas Espinoza, who says he was sexually abused multiple times when he was a child, by several catholic priests in Chile

A growing number of clerical sexual abuse survivors are coming forward in Latin America

Latin America may become the next region to expose childhood clerical sexual abuse. Some victims have spent decades without coming forward because of the importance given to clergy in the community. But a growing number of people are creating support networks for survivors.

A growing number of clerical sexual abuse survivors are coming forward in Latin America
At the La Perseverancia market in Bogotá, Colombia customers have noticed that prices for many foods are increasing. With the war in Ukraine, inflation could get worse.

For developing countries, the war in Ukraine means even higher food prices

African and Latin American countries have been struggling to control inflation rates during the pandemic. The war in Ukraine threatens to increase food prices even more and make hunger in some countries worse. 

For developing countries, the war in Ukraine means even higher food prices
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a ceremony marking the start of the judicial year at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan. 27, 2022.

Archetypes of autocracy: Part II

This week's Critical State, a foreign policy newsletter, takes a deep dive into how autocrats stay in power through the repression. Too much repression can lead to a people's revolt whereas not enough can result in military coups.

Archetypes of autocracy: Part II
Iselle Toledo waits for a medical appointment at Juntos Se Puede an organization that helps Venezuelan migrants in Bogotá, Colombia.

Many Venezuelan migrants in Latin America struggle to get vaccinated

Venezuelan migrants and refugees who have moved to different parts of South America have struggled to get shots because of legal requirements at vaccination centers. And that could slow down efforts to stamp out the coronavirus in the region. 

Many Venezuelan migrants in Latin America struggle to get vaccinated
Eusebio Torres waits to be vaccinated as a nurse prepares the dose of the Cuban Abdala COVID-19 vaccine at the Gustavo Aldereguia hospital in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Sunday, May 30, 2021.

Cuba’s promise of a homegrown COVID-19 vaccine  

Cuba, a world leader in medicine, is the first in Latin America to develop its own COVID-19 vaccine.

Cuba’s promise of a homegrown COVID-19 vaccine  
A large crowd of people are shown with a woman in the center of the photograph cheering with her mouth open and an England flag draped on her shoulders.

Podcast host Roger Bennett on the joys of soccer

Co-host of the soccer podcast "Men in Blazers," Roger Bennett talks about moving to the United States from the UK and sharing the joys of soccer with the public.

Podcast host Roger Bennett on the joys of soccer
A mariachi band plays at the Plaza MX nightclub in Bogotá on Friday, June 11. The club was forced to close for much of last year, but was finally allowed to open fully in June as Colombia's government tries to restart the economy.

Colombia loosens COVID restrictions to save the economy as deaths soar

Like the US and Europe, Colombia is lifting most restrictions in a bid to bring back jobs — even as COVID-19 death rates climb. 

Colombia loosens COVID restrictions to save the economy as deaths soar