Latin America
Argentina: fifty years after coup, search continues for thousands of disappeared
In 1977, Argentine teacher Taty Almeida began searching for her missing son Alejandro, one of thousands who disappeared during the military dictatorship. With nowhere else to turn, she joined other mothers in Buenos…
Chile: protests as new president revokes environmental protection measures
On 22 March, World Water Day, thousands of people marched in Santiago and many other cities across Chile, protesting the rollback of environmental protections by newly-elected president José Antonio Kast. His administration quickly…
Ecuador and USA begin operations against drug trafficking
Ecuador and the USA have begun joint operations aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks, according to an announcement from the US Southern Command. The command, which oversees US defence cooperation across much of…
Mexico: troops called in to curb violence after cartel leader killed
The government has deployed thousands of troops after deadly unrest followed the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho. Around 9,500 soldiers have been sent to western states, including…
Panama: government takes over control of ports from Hong Kong company
The two key ports at either end of the Panama Canal have been taken over by the Panamanian government. This follows a supreme court ruling last month that the renewed 25-year concession given…
Peru: congress ousts president after four months
There is continuing political instability in Peru after congress removed interim president José Jerí only four months after he was appointed. Secret meetings with businessmen and allegations of influence-peddling triggered public outrage and…
Venezuela: president says no to new presidential election
The president of Venezuela’s national assembly, Jorge Rodríguez, has said no presidential election will take place soon, stressing that the government’s priority is national stability. Following the controversial 2024 vote and the abduction…
Argentina: Patagonia wildfires bring criticisms of Milei’s austerity policies
Wildfires are tearing through Argentina’s Patagonia region, burning vast areas of native forest and threatening irreplaceable ecosystems. More than 450 square kilometres have already been destroyed, including parts of a national park, a…
Venezuela: over a hundred political prisoners freed
More than a hundred people held as political prisoners in Venezuela have been freed, according to the human rights group Foro Penal (FP). Among them were FP lawyer Kennedy Tejeda and communications student…
Guatemala: state of emergency after prison riots and ten police killed
A wave of coordinated gang violence which left ten police officers dead has prompted the government of Guatemala to declare a thirty-day state of emergency. The attacks began with riots at three prisons,…
