Topic: Central America

All Content

Latin America Monitor Street gangs on the rise in South America: Are Central America's 'Maras' among them?

South American street gangs may not be as notorious as the violent 'maras,' but they pose a significant threat to security, writes guest blogger Geoffrey Ramsey.
Latin America Monitor Exporting Nicaragua's citizen security model

Nicaragua could be a citizen security model for other Central American countries to imitate, but some elements are harder to transfer than others, writes guest blogger Hannah Stone.
If you build it, they won't come? US bases in Caribbean target drug trafficking.

With resources stretched thin, the US is now teaming up with small Central American and Caribbean nations to build military bases to combat drug trafficking.
Latin America Monitor Is Ecuador prepared to counter rise in organized crime?

Ecuador has been described as the 'United Nations of organized crime,' but authorities may underestimate the repercussions, writes guest blogger Elyssa Pachico.
The Monitor's View Marijuana legalization: Obama opposition too selective

When Latin America talks of legalizing drugs, Obama officials speak up. What about ballot measures in Colorado and Washington Sate to approve marijuana legalization?
Biden in Honduras: US drug policy under scrutiny

Even staunch US allies in the Americas are urging a debate on drug policy – including legalization – amid spiraling violence in their countries.
Caribbean nations get caught in China-Taiwan tug of war

More than half the countries with diplomatic ties to Taiwan are in Central America and the Caribbean. Some, like Grenada, are finding that switching allegiances can be expensive.
Climate change may have caused Mayan civilization's collapse

For unknown reasons, the ancient Mayan civilization then disintegrated more than a millennium ago. The number of people declined catastrophically to a fraction of the empire's former size, and the ruins of its great cities are now largely overgrown by jungle.
Opinion 4 reasons Abraham Lincoln wouldn't win the GOP nomination in 2012

Yes, Abraham Lincoln was America's first Republican president, and, yes, the GOP proudly calls itself the Party of Lincoln. But Bradley University sociology chair Jackie Hogan wonders: Could Lincoln win his party’s nomination in 2012? Considers his stance on some of the hot-button issues in the Republican primary race.
New voice in drug-war debate: businessmen who are feeling the pinch

The drug trade has had a negative impact on the business climate in Central America, and the private sector is starting to speak out in favor of new approaches to the war on drugs.
Latin America Monitor Legalizing drugs gains ground in Latin America

Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina has suggested decriminalizing drugs in order to reduce violence in the Americas.
The next 'revolution' for Nicaragua: energy independence

Oil dependent Nicaragua is battling high energy costs and trying to build a sustainable economy by focusing on wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal.
The Zetas now Mexico's largest drug gang. Who are they?

According to Mexican authorities, the Zetas have become the biggest drug trafficking organization in Mexico. A recent report from Stratfor, based on data from Mexico's attorney general's office, says the group now operates in 17 states, surpassing the geographical sway of the once-dominant Sinaloa Federation.
Latin America Monitor Ecuador's President Correa sues newspaper and is blamed for killing free speech

The Ecuadorian court suspended the libel hearing today, amid international criticism that President Rafael Correa is quashing free speech.
Latin America Monitor Guatemalans scale volcano to protest domestic violence

Violence against women has surged in Central America, prompting awareness efforts like the one in Guatemala this weekend.
Latin America Monitor Honduras: home to the most violent city in the hemisphere?

Amid rising crime, the Peace Corps pulled out of in Honduras this week.
Peace Corps Honduras: Why are all the US volunteers leaving?

Peace Corps Honduras: The 158 Peace Crops volunteers have been ordered out of Honduras. There's also a freeze on new Peace Corps volunteers going to Guatemala and El Salvador.
Latin America Monitor What Guatemala's new president wants from the US

Former Gen. Otto Perez Molina, who will be inaugurated as Guatemala's president today, plans to push for renewed US military aid, raising concerns among critics of his legacy from Guatemala's civil war.
Latin America Monitor Iran is not the only 'pariah' looking to Latin America

Taiwan courts continued recognition as an independent country from select Latin American nations, while Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tries to bolster ties to regional allies.
Correspondent reflections: The 10 news events that shaped 2011

In this special section, we look at the year’s biggest stories, and seven staff correspondents reflect on events in hot spots from Latin America to the Libyan front.
12/31/2011 12:24 pm
Global News Blog 2011 Reflections: the end of a landmark year for Latin America

Seven Monitor correspondents reflect on the world's hot spots. In this installment, Sara Miller Llana says Latin America has economically boomed this year as the US and Europe struggle.
12/30/2011 06:04 pm
Latin America Monitor Peace Corps pullout a sad day for Central America

Because of worsening security, the Peace Corps is suspending operations in Honduras and freezing new applicants in Guatemala and El Salvador. It could be a long time before they return.
12/23/2011 11:14 am
Change Agent Americans are the most generous, global poll finds

Americans are more apt to donate to a charity, volunteer, or help a stranger than residents of 152 other countries.
12/21/2011 11:02 am
Latin America Monitor Back to the future in Latin America? Sandinistas, generals, and Manuel Noriega

Back in Panama to serve more prison time, ex-dictator Manuel Noriega might be surprised how little the regional neighborhood has changed, writes guest blogger Mike Allison.
12/12/2011 08:51 am
Panama's Noriega returns: Now, what secrets might he spill?

As the former dictator Manuel Noriega returns to Panama, residents are wondering what sorts of information he could share about the past.
12/11/2011 09:53 am