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Venezuela military enters slums
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 - 15:48

The Venezuelan government has set up dozens of military checkpoints in slums on the outskirts of Caracas, the crime-infested capital, in an attempt to control violence in the country. One such checkpoint is in Petare, one of the most dangerous parts of the capital. The initiative, called "Secure...

Congressman convicted in Colombia for massacre
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 - 12:31

On May 15, 2013, former Colombian congressman Cesar Pérez was sentenced to 30 years in prison after he was found guilty of homicide, personal injury and criminal conspiracy. The Supreme Court of Colombia...

Abortion case heard in El Salvador
Friday, May 17, 2013 - 13:07

On May 15, 2013, El Salvador’s supreme court heard an abortion case that has the potential to change abortion law in the country. The case was brought on behalf of a pregnant woman, identified as “Beatriz,” who is suffering from lupus and kidney failure. Ultrasound images indicate that the...

Topics

International

Bolivia's coca food market
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - 09:58

In 2011 and 2012, a processing plant in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, produced various foods containing coca. The processing installation is one of Bolivian President Evo Morales’ efforts to make the plant more legitimate. While many in Bolivia already enjoy and consume the leaves in tea, using the...

Obama's speech in Mexico and the reality behind it
Friday, May 10, 2013 - 09:20

Last week, President Obama made his second state visit to Mexico.1 Seen by the White House primarily as an attempt to galvanize support behind its economic proposals, especially the Tran-Pacific Partnership2, the trip emphasized the close US-Mexico partnership, and promised progress in drugs and immigration—the other two big items in the bilateral...

Economy

Argentine tax amnesty for cash
Monday, May 13, 2013 - 14:37

On May 7, 2013, the Argentina’s Economy Minister Hernan Lorenzino announced a plan to gather undeclared US dollars in response to the pressure to devalue the Argentine peso. The government will offer a tax amnesty to anyone investing dollars in national energy and construction...

Regions

Brazil

Civil unions must be registered as marriages in Brazil
Thursday, May 16, 2013 - 11:00

On May 14, 2013, the Brazilian National Council of Justice declared that Brazilian notary publics must register same-sex civil unions as marriages upon request. In 2012, 1,277 same sex...

Central America

Rios Montt convicted of genocide
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - 11:06

On May 10, 2013, a three-judge panel ruled that former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt was guilty of genocide, marking the first time a former leader was convicted of genocide in his...

Mexico

Attack on press in Mexico
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 - 11:08

In April 2012, Mexican journalist Regina Martinez was found murdered in her home. A year later, a judge sentenced Jorge Antonio Hernandez Silva to 38 years in prison for homicide and robbery. ...