Topic: Latin America

5 clues to what 2012 holds for Latin America's economy

The general opinion is that while the economic outlook for Latin America in 2012 is not as rosy as it has been in the past, it's not a bad one. 

World reacts to Obama's new military focus on Asia

Chinese newspapers call on China to assert itself, while India and African nations ponder the implications of becoming 'strategic partners' with the US. 

Brazil's bright economy clouded by low productivity

Brazil performs poorly on productivity measures in part because of high tariffs.

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. 

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.

Parading back to Rio de Janeiro: the bookish and brainy

In a reversal, many Brazilians who left the country are coming back amid a strong economy and sense of expectation. In Rio, some are inspired, others disappointed.

Are you up on Latin American news? Try our quiz.

Test how well you kept up with Latin America's big events of 2011.

Seeking justice for victims across borders

The nonprofit group CJA tracks down those who commit crimes in one country and flee to another – and hauls them into court.

Brazil bumps Britain to become world's sixth largest economy

Thanks in part to soybeans and iron ore, cars, and coffee, Brazil has overtaken Britain as the world's sixth largest economy - though there are some clouds on the horizon.

State of the world: Mideast boosts global democratic progress

Part 3 of the surprisingly upbeat state of the world: Mideast change boosts striking global democratic progress.

Brazil takes on an centuries-old foe: corruption

Brazil is making strides in purging government corruption – a 500-year-old problem that persists today in Latin America because of cultural acceptance, inequality, and prevalent drug money.

A year of drift in US-Latin American relations

This year should have been a stellar one for US-Latin American relations, marked by trade deals and Obama's high popularity in the region. Instead, 2011 held a sense of distance between the regions.

'Messenger Angels' protest crime in Mexico, wearing angels' wings (video)

Calling themselves 'Messenger Angels,' youth members of an evangelical church are protesting Mexico's drug violence by taking to the streets carrying signs and wearing angel costumes.

A pageant winner's effort to change Venezuela's focus on beauty

Former Miss Venezuela Eva Ekvall, who died over the weekend, spent the last years of her life trying to educate beauty-obsessed Venezuelans about priorities.

Lori Berenson home for the holidays for the first time in 16 years

Lori Berenson, convicted of terrorism in Peru, arrived home in New York for the first time since 1995. Lori Berenson was accompanied by her 2-year-old son.

Eight ingredients for a peaceful society

What makes for a peaceful society? Hot spots from Congo to the Middle East would benefit from such knowledge. But so would the United States, which, at home, isn’t always so harmonious and abroad, is still at war in Afghanistan.

Michael Shank, vice president of the Institute for Economics and Peace’s US office gives his take on eight ingredients America needs to build a peaceful society.

Chile's bid to save energy: men, leave your ties at home

As the summer kicks off in the southern hemisphere, the Chilean government is encouraging men to not wear ties, in an effort to decrease use of air conditioning – and thus energy.

At Our Lady of Guadalupe pilgrimage, Pope's possible Mexico visit ranks second

Vatican sources say that the Pope may soon announce plans to visit Mexico next year. But at Mexico's annual celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, reaction was muted.

Libya's missing missiles: a threat to US airline passengers

If terrorists get hold of some of Qaddafi's 20,000 shoulder-fired missiles and manage to bring down an airliner in the United States, the economic repercussions would be huge. Antimissile systems exist, but so far US airlines have balked at the expense.

Europe lays out bold plan to save euro: Can it avert global recession?

The nations of the European Union have agreed to submit to tighter oversight of fiscal policies as many struggle with severe debt that could kill the euro and cause a new global recession.

Kofi Annan: Despite flaws, UN Human Rights Council can bring progress

As Human Rights Day 2011 approaches, skeptics say the new UN Human Rights Council has not lived up to its mandate. Some suggest democratic nations should abandon it. At a time when we should be making it stronger, forsaking the Council is the wrong way to advance human rights.

If Hugo Chavez goes, should his supporters get amnesty?

Venezuela's upcoming presidential election has spurred debate over whether Chavistas need the protection of an amnesty law to maintain political stability when he leaves office.

Why engage with Pakistan?

The US still needs Islamabad’s help on Afghanistan. Pakistan needs US aid money and global connections to avert international isolation.

10 best fiction books of 2011

10 best 2011 fiction titles as chosen by Monitor reviewers

With much fanfare, Venezuela's first batch of repatriated gold comes home

President Hugo Chávez oversaw the return of the first batch of Venezuela's gold from foreign banks.  Was it a publicity stunt?