Topic: Central America
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
-
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: 10 quotes on his birthday
Read 10 quotes by Saint-Exupéry, author "The Little Prince," of one of the bestselling books of all time.
-
Sixth Summit of the Americas: 8 things to watch
Yes, the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena will debate drug policy and Cuba. Here are eight other topics to be discussed at the Summit.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Correspondent reflections: The 10 news events that shaped 2011
All Content
-
Castro daughter to US: Raul's daughter to accept award for gay rights advocacy
Castro daughter to US: Mariela Castro will attend the Equality Forum's annual conference on civil rights for lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender people, according to Malcolm Lazin, the advocacy group's executive director.
-
Can a blimp curb drug trafficking in Latin America? The US hopes so.
After sweeping US budget cuts, the Pentagon is testing new tools to stop drug trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean: a blimp tethered to the back of a boat and a hand-launched drone.
-
FBI Most Wanted caught in Nicaragua: What draws US pedophiles to the region?
Stigmatized in the US, some registered sex offenders like Eric Toth decide to move abroad to start fresh in a foreign country – and Central America is becoming a popular spot.
-
Latin America Monitor Think Chávez was paranoid? Venezuela's Maduro warns of US-funded biker gangs.
Interim President Nicolás Maduro has spoken publicly about conspiracies ranging from murder plots to Salvadoran mercenaries. They serve as a political tool to unify the population and silence criticism.
-
Two things you need to know about Halle Berry: She's pregnant and charitable
Halle Berry announced her second pregnancy and an ambitious charitable venture with Michael Kors. Halle Berry said she wants to talk to mothers in the developing world about prenatal care and child nutrition while she's pregnant.
-
Hasta luego, Mexico: The Monitor's Latin America bureau chief signs off
Our correspondent recalls the good, the bad, and the surprising from her nearly seven years covering the region.
-
Latin America Monitor Cops unite in Central America: New deal allows cross-border pursuits
The agreement will allow law enforcement agencies from one country to pursue suspects over the border into a neighboring country, and encourage states to share criminal records.
-
Can Nicaragua protect the waters it won?
A ruling at the UN's highest court redrew maritime boundaries around the Colombian island of San Andrés and Nicaragua. Security analysts say it could lead to unintended consequences like increased trafficking.
-
Stir It Up! Lively, hearty black bean soup with ham hocks
Lots of big flavors– cumin, garlic, celery, red bell pepper, tomatoes, jalapeño pepper, and smoked ham hock– blend into a satisfying soup with a Southwestern kick.
-
Latin America Monitor Mexico: Latin America's second-largest economy lags in digital accessibility
Barely 17 percent of Mexicans have internet access at home, compared to 40 percent of Chileans. High costs are in part blamed for this digital divide.
-
Pastor sentenced in same-sex custodial kidnapping case
Pastor Kenneth Miller was sentenced to 27 months in prison, but released pending appeal. He was convicted last summer of helping a woman take her daughter out of the country to flee joint custody with her ex-partner.
-
Latin America Monitor Desperate for cash, Honduras to hawk bonds
Honduras is broke, writes a guest blogger, and despite a recent credit downgrade it is now trying to privately place over $750 million in bonds.
-
Pope Benedict XVI retires: Will the next pope come from the 'global south?'
Latin America is home to 40 percent of the world’s 1 billion Roman Catholics, but there has never been a non-European pope in the modern era.
-
Progress Watch
Good news from Central America: Homicides fall in Guatemala, El SalvadorAttributed, in part, to an evolution away from hardline 'iron fist' policy approaches to crime and violence, El Salvador and Guatemala saw homicides fall in 2012 from record highs.
-
Opinion: In fighting gangs, US should look to El Salvador
In combating the MS-13 gang, the Obama administration should look to El Salvador, which has adopted a far less confrontational approach, and is seeing a drop in gang violence as a result. A negotiated 'truce' with gangs is possible in the US and Mexico.
-
Illegal immigration from C. America on the rise
From October 2011 to July 31, agents apprehended more than 40,000 non-Mexican migrants, compared to about 39,000 individuals from Mexico.
-
Latin America Monitor US ex-marine to be released from prison after violating Mexico's strict gun laws (+video)
Former US marine Jon Hammar was imprisoned in August for carrying an antique gun into Mexico. Despite record levels of violence, such arms are prohibited without permission from the government.
-
Lessons from the Maya prophecy – whether the world 'ends' or not (+video)
Instead of focusing on Maya predictions of the ‘end of the world,’ some are shifting attention to problems today that may have contributed to the Maya collapse – like environmental damage.
-
Stir It Up! A Mayan dinner party for 12.21.12 (+video)
Mayan end-time talk got you down? Forget superstition and learn something about today's Mayan culture with these recipes from the 'Flavors of Belize' cookbook.
-
Sandy Hook tragedy: Pro-gun senator says it's time to ban assault rifles (+video)
The support of pro-gun Democrats, such as West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, is boosting prospects for a new drive to ban semi-automatic weapons and high-ammunition clips.
-
Difference Maker
Ellen Calmus helps Mexican families cope with cross-border challengesThe Corner Project assists families with relatives in the US, ensuring, for example, that children of migrant workers born in the US are able to register for school or other services in Mexico.
-
Latin America Monitor Honduran police cleanup law may be unconstitutional
A branch of the Honduran Supreme Court deemed the law unconstitutional because it removes police officers' rights to due process. Next, the entire Supreme Court must convene to issue an opinion.
-
'Death evictions'? Guatemala's violence takes an unusual toll
Guatemala has one of the world's highest murder rates. The two largest public cemeteries in Guatemala City are so cramped that relatives must pay rent on tombs – or risk family members' 'eviction.'
-
Focus
Turn on the TV? How telenovelas help people cope with real lifeTackling sensitive topics through entertainment and fictional characters can make it easier to get people talking about how to deal with complicated or stigmatized problems, like domestic violence.
-
How will the FARC-Colombia peace talks impact Latin America?
Ridding Latin America of the FARC could mean a better business climate, reduced tensions between Colombia and its neighbors, and space for the rise of a new left in Colombia.
Become part of the Monitor community