Latin America
Latin America
Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro to close Brazilian and Colombian borders to prevent aid flows, opposition leader Guaidó to lead a convoy of allies from Caracas to Colombian border to retrieve aid, Maduro to accept 300 tons of aid shipments from Russia despite denying there is a crisis
Mysterious group of five armed Americans arrested by Haitian police in Port-au-Prince, they claim they were on a "government mission" and traveled without license plates or visa stamps showing entry, Haiti has seen protests and other civil disturbances calling for resignation of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse
Venezuelan ambassador to Iraq Jonathan Velasco Ramirez renounces Nicolás Maduro and supports opposition leader Juan Guaido, calls on the army to overthrow Maduro
American anarchist "John Galton" murdered in Acapulco, the pseudonymous American ex-pat reportedly faced drug charges back home and was promoting cryptocurrencies in Mexico
Venezuela's Supreme Court bans opposition leader Juan Guaidó from leaving the country and freezes his bank accounts, Maduro says he's prepared to hold negotiations, US has handed control of Venezuela's US bank accounts to Guaidó and National Security Adviser John Bolton warns anyone attempting to harm "President Guaidó"
First Catholic church since 1959 Communist Revolution inaugurated in Cuba, Sacred Heart of Jesus in Sandino is one of three planned consecrations including Havana and Santiago, the church will seat 200 and received USD 95,000 in funding from a Florida-based parish
Brazil's government recognizes Juan Guaidó, Venezuela's Congressional leader who opposes Nicolas Maduro, the rightful president of Venezuela, says he is prepared to assume the presidency on an interim basis and call elections
Former Venezuelan Supreme Court ally of Maduro denounces him after fleeing to US, Christian Zerpa claims most recent election was not "free and competitive", Supreme Court claims he was under investigation for sexual harassment
Rio de Janeiro security forces to implement shoot-to-kill policy, says newly elected governor Wilson Witzel, former federal judge has promised to kill criminals by helicopter-borne snipers and says Rio needs Guantánamo-style prison camp
Brazilian President Bolsonaro grants agricultural department power over tribal lands, critics fear opening salvo in corporate exploitation of rainforest and other protected lands, calls for "integration" of tribal peoples into Brazilian citizenry
Jair Bolsonaro announces liberation from "socialism, inverted values, the bloated state and political correctness" as he is sworn in as Brazil's 42nd president, adding that his government will "rescue the family, respect religions and our Judeo-Christian tradition"
Mexican mayor Alejandro Santiago gunned down moments after being sworn in, assailants remain at large with one suspect in custody, governor of Oaxaca vows thorough investigation
Jair Bolsonaro plans issuing presidential decree allowing all Brazilians without criminal records to own firearms, dismantling gun laws key campaign pledge for president-elect taking office January 1
Venezuelans regret six-year-old gun control bill, in affect a declaration of war against an unarmed population, the bill sold as a hardline effort to improve security and sharply reduce crime, many now point to Venezuela as case study for how gun prohibition produce the opposite effect
Venezuela’s last nationally circulated, anti-government newspaper El Nacional stops publishing print edition amid paper shortages and unrelenting government pressure, with an onslaught of tax reviews, advertising restrictions and lawsuits, will become an exclusively online publication
Brazil will pull out of United Nations migration pact, says incoming foreign relations minister Ernesto Araújo, who will take office in January under president-elect Jair Bolsonaro
Brazilian president-elect Jair Bolsonaro names retired General Carlos Alberto Dos Santos Cruz government minister, led the UN peacekeeping forces in Haiti, fifth addition from the country's military
Colombia suspects Venezuelan military agents seek to infiltrate shelters for migrants to start riots, 3 out of 15 Venezuelans recently expelled from country after violent confrontations members of armed forces
Local citizens of Tijuana, Mexico protest recent arrival of Central American migrant caravan, the 3,000 asylum seekers are projected to grow to 10,000 in coming weeks, residents worry about criminal backgrounds and believe they are looking for handouts
UNHCR claims refugees fleeing Venezuelan economic crisis reaches 3 million, the UN agency estimates nearly 2.4 million are residing in neighboring Latin American countries
Jair Bolsonaro now leads Fernando Haddad in Brazilian presidential election polling, the right wing candidate also received an endorsement from the Brazilian farmer's lobby
Nearly 2 million refugees have fled economic collapse in Venezuela since 2015, UN refugee agency chief says nearly 5,000 people leave the country daily and 2.6 million Venezuelans now living abroad
ICJ blocks Bolivian attempt to force Chile to negotiate the country's former access to the Pacific Ocean, Bolivia lost coastal access in 1879-1883 war with Chile but still maintains a naval force
105 prisoners escape maximum security prison in northeastern Brazil after about 20 heavily armed men blow down front gate and fire on watchtowers, 41 of the escaped prisoners recaptured after security forces lock down state capital João Pessoa
Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro stabbed during campaign rally with injuries to liver, lung and intestines, undergoes surgery to treat wounds and prevent infection, one suspect identified with Socialism and Liberty Party apprehended
Venezuela arrests 131 people accused of sabotaging Maduro's economic reforms, several large-chain managers accused of speculating and hoarding price-controlled basic products among arrestees, 1.5 million people have fled Venezuela since 2015
Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro advocates police murder of criminal suspects, says "you cannot treat them as if they were normal human beings", Bolsonaro is polling second behind jailed former president likely to be barred from elections
Residents of Brazilian Pacaraima drive out hundreds of Venezuelan migrants after restaurant owner was stabbed and robbed in his home by four Venezuelans, migrant group then attacked 30 border shopping Brazilians, Venezuela concerned about reports of attacks on migrated citizens and asks Brazil to guarantee their safety
Maduro pegs bolívar to government's petro cryptocurrency effectively devaluing by 96%, also says will hike minimum wage by over 3,000% and boost corporate tax rate, tells people to trust him as he wants the country to recover and he has the formula, economists expect "much more aggressive stage of hyperinflation"
Venezuela's Maduro ends subsidized petrol prices for political opponents compounding weaponized sustenance program of food at subsidized prices only for regime supporters
Cuban government enables free mobile internet for island's 5 million subscribers for a day, the government is testing the new service ahead of a planned for-pay launch, most residents utilize internet at Wi-fi hotspots that cost 1 USD per hour when average monthly wages are USD 30, dissident Cuban blogger and social media pioneer Yoani Sanchez labels it "citizen's victory"
Nicolas Maduro announces the phasing out of state subsidies for petrol over two years in effort to curb smuggling, the official rate of 1 Bolivar per liter creates valuable arbitrage as street price is Bolivar 4 million per liter, the Venezuelan government claims that fuel smuggling costs the country USD 18 billion per year in lost revenue
Chile's Minister for Cultural Affairs resigns after facing criticism for 2015 comments about human rights museum, Mauricio Rojas claimed museum was a "shameless and inaccurate use of a national tragedy", human rights organizations and local politicians pressured him to quit four days into his new job
Brazil struggles with "serious problem with lethal violence" after achieving record high of 63,880 murders in 2017, data compiled by Brazilian Public Security Forum shows an average of 175 murders per day corresponding to 30.8 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, incidence of rape also increased 8% to 60,018 for the period, murder has a strong racial and political element with many victims being young, black men and little police follow-up
Ecuadorian government declares state of emergency as Venezuelan migration surges, Venezuelans fleeing economic dislocation typically arrive via border with Colombia, the declaration mobilizes aid and social workers to help manage the impact of uncontrolled mass migration
Venezuelan President Maduro unharmed but seven National Guard soldiers injured after alleged drone attack against military event where he gave a speech in Caracas, says everything points to right-wing plot linked to Colombia and Florida and several were caught, little-known group "National Movement of Soldiers in T-shirts" claims responsibility for attack in series of social media posts
Right wing populist Brazilian presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro trailing jailed former president Lula da Silva in polls despite larger social media following, considers descendant of the country's last emperor or retired army general as running mates
Venezuela to remove five zeroes from currency bolívar instead of the three planned in June and tie it to state-backed petro cryptocurrency – no details offered concerning the petro tie, but President Nicolás Maduro calls the plan "great economic change"
Brazil's government indigenous agency Funai releases footage of uncontacted indigenous man who has lived alone in Amazon forest for at least 22 years, man believed to be in his 50s fells tree in video and appears to be in excellent health, believed to be only survivor of land grab attack in 1995, Funai whose policy is to avoid contact has protected 8,070 hectares in area
Pablo Escobar's widow and son charged with money laundering by federal judge in Argentina where they live, assets frozen but no arrests made
Brazil's President Michel Temer orders army and federal police to clear highways blockaded by striking truck drivers after protest over fuel prices and graft enters fifth day, state of emergency declared in São Paulo over fuel shortages
Brazil truckers on strike for four days due to rising fuel prices, demand tax cuts, nationwide shortages hit supermarkets, numerous flights cancelled, some factories idle
Venezuela expels American diplomats Todd Robinson and Brian Naranjo as Donald Trump authorized new sanctions against country after widely-condemned presidential election
Nicolás Maduro re-elected as Venezuelan president with 67.7% of vote in election that main opposition boycotted, both second placed Henri Falcón and third candidate Javier Bertucci demand new election due to irregularities
Giant anti-communist flag displayed on Rio de Janeiro hill on Karl Marx's 200th birth day, firefighters called to remove it since it was placed in national park (Portuguese)
Venezuela raises minimum monthly wage by 155% to VEF 1 million three weeks before presidential election, raise to USD 1.61 at black market exchange rate third increase this year
Mexican presidential candidate Jaime "El Bronco" Rodriguez says during debate that robbers' hands should be cut off, was country's first independent governor and is in fifth place in most opinion polls
Ten killed and at least 100 injured in Nicaragua after three days of clashes between police and people protesting pension reform, protests concerning 5% pension tax and increased forced contributions to system for both employees and employer
Cuba communist party nominates 57-year-old Miguel Díaz-Canel as only candidate to replace 86-year-old Raúl Castro who retires after ten years in power
Venezuelan National Assembly approves preliminary impeachment proceedings against Nicolás Maduro after corruption scandal, not clear what effect will be as legitimate Supreme Court is exiled in Colombia and has been replaced by loyalist magistrates
Venezuela's Supreme Court in exile orders detention of President Nicolás Maduro and asks Interpol to issue arrest warrant, court is recognised by Organization of American States and consists of magistrates appointed by opposition in 2017
More than 800 Venezuelans flee to Brazil each day to escape shortages of food and medicines in homeland, other destinations include Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Panama, Argentina and Peru
Brazil's Supreme Court rules that Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva can begin to serve his 12-year sentence for accepting bribes, rejects former president's plea to avoid prison while he appeals
Seven policemen die in a riot in a prison in Amatlán de los Reyes in eastern Mexico
Peru president Pedro Pablo Kuczynski resigns after video is made public where representatives of his government apparently try to bribe opposition to oppose impeachment motion which would have been voted on Thursday
Venezuela imposes electricity rationing in six western states after drought reduces water levels in key reservoirs, four-hour formal outages announced but blackouts so far up to 14 hours per day
Brazilian left-wing politician Marielle Franco killed in drive-by shooting, opposed military taking over security in Rio
Venezuela presidential election to be postponed from 22 April to 20 May, poll not seen as legitimate and several countries warn that they will not recognize result
Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro wants to add legislative, state and municipal votes to presidential election in April after opposition said it will boycott poll, government loyalist National Constituent Assembly to decide on matter, opposition leaders in prison or in exile
Increased suicide rate in Puerto Rico after several years of decrease, may be connected to hurricane Maria according to experts who say natural disasters cause post-traumatic stress
Oxfam scandal tip of iceberg according to Haiti president Jovenel Moise who demands investigation of Doctors Without Borders which has been forced to send 17 of its staff home due to misconduct
Oxfam deputy chief executive Penny Lawrence resigns, UK aid organization accused of covering up facts related to employees buying sexual services on Haiti after 2010 earthquake
18 dead in clashes between Venezuelan army and miners in southern part of country, Maduro has previously declared war on illegal miners in region
Oxfam admits staff engaged in sexual misconduct during recovery work in Haiti after 2010 earthquake, "full-on Caligula orgy" with prostitutes in guesthouse rented by charity among accusations
Zetas kingpin José María Guízar Valencia caught in Mexico City, drug cartel leader likely to face extradition to US on smuggling and money laundering charges
Uruguay to extend economic aid to six former Guantánamo prisoners who resettled in country in 2014, offers USD 450 in salary and pays their rent until January 2019
Venezuela's ruling socialist party selects Maduro to run for re-election in April's presidential election, Maduro favorite to win vote as leading opponents barred from standing
Kenji Fujimori, member of Peru parliament and son of former PM Alberto Fujimori, expelled from Fuerza Popular party by his sister Keiko after voting against party line to impeach president, believed to have negotiated for pardoning of father
Truck driver causes permanent damage to Nazca lines in Peru, world heritage geoglyphs are 2,000 years old, were last damaged by Greenpeace activists in 2014
Brazil's former president Lula da Silva guilty of money laundering and taking bribes according to appellate court, prison sentence prolonged to twelve years, could make him ineligible to stand for election
Brazil declares six month yellow fever emergency in south-eastern state of Minas Gerais, at least 15 dead from disease in area since December, emergency allows local authorities to commission special services and buy in emergency materials
Colombia says 550,000 Venezuelans now living in country of which 126,000 legally permitted to stay, migrant numbers up 62% in last six months, a million Venezuelans registered for migration card allowing entering Colombia for shopping scarce supplies
Seven killed after 107 lootings or attempted lootings in the first 11 days of January in Venezuela according to human rights group – store owners still running business arm themselves with what they can find, team up and coordinate guarding shifts via WhatsApp
Chile's president Bachelet urges country to welcome and respect Pope Francis after three Catholic churches firebombed and pope threatened days before first papal visit since 1987, attacks insignificant and damage to buildings minor according to authorities
Four Venezuelans dead after trying to reach wealthy island of Curaçao by boat, Maduro has banned all air and sea travel to several islands in order to prevent smuggling of Venezuelan goods by alleged mafias
Belize first developing country to end oil operations in its ocean waters, reported as enormous win for the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage site
Maduro orders 72 hours shutdown of all traffic with Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, accuses island smugglers of plundering Venezuela by running black markets on everything from copper to food
Haiti cracks down on Dominican egg smuggling, authorities hope for increased domestic production while merchant fears starving
Maduro accuses Portugal of sabotaging Christmas by not delivering ham subsidized by the Venezuelan government as part of US-led international conspiracy, Portuguese food company says crux of dispute rather that tens of millions of euro remain unpaid from last year
Retail chain in Paraguay sponsors mass wedding among employees who formerly lived in sin, more than 100 couples marry
Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma escapes house arrest, flees across border to Colombia and then on to Spain to reunite with his family, is accused by Maduro of supporting coup attempt