News and Politics

8 killed in string of violence in Cancun: The epidemic of rising violence in Mexico’s tourist hotspots

By Kristen Gugerli
September 4, 2018

Just last week, authorities were shocked to find the remains of eight bodies in what appears to be a string of particularly brutal murders in the Mexican tourist hotspot of Cancun. These findings are representative of the growing problem of gang violence in Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations, an issue that has proven especially severe in beach towns such as Acapulco and Los Cabos.

A Giant Leap for Cuban Citizens: Accessible Internet

By Alexis Takoushian
August 20, 2018

Around the world millions of people are exposed, even over-exposed, to messages and social media through the accessibility of their smartphone. Whether they are in a bus, in school, at work, or in the comfort of their own home. As many daily realities differ between the United States and Cuba, the benefit of unrestricted Internet access at our fingertips is taken for granted. In Cuba, in order for people to have access to the Internet they must purchase an access card from the state-run telecommunications company called Etecsa for about one U.S. dollar per hour.

Lula’s Impact on the 2018 Presidential Election in Brazil

By Mallory Perillo
August 16, 2018

On August 4th, the Workers’ Party of Brazil nominated Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as their candidate for the country’s upcoming Presidential election. A former two-term President who served from 2003 to 2011, Lula seems like a qualified candidate for the position. However, Lula is currently imprisoned for corruption charges from his previous time in office. This status makes him an extremely controversial, even illegitimate, choice for the Workers’ party. Lula holds an interesting place in contemporary Brazilian society.

The Fight to Decriminalize Abortion in Brazil

By Alexis Takoushian
August 7, 2018

Debora Diniz is widely known in her homeland of Brazil as an activist, anthropologist, writer, filmmaker, law professor, and a co-founder of ANIS: Institute of Bioethics, an organization dedicated to bioethics and human rights in Latin America. In addition to her impressive career as a professor and lawyer, Diniz has worked on Brazilian Supreme Court cases involving abortion, marriage equality, the secular state, and stem cell research.

Cuban Government Proposes New Constitution

By Mallory Perillo
August 1, 2018

For the first time since 1976, the Cuban government is drafting a new constitution. Earlier this year, long-time President Raul Castro stepped down and selected Miguel Díaz Canel to replace him, marking the first time in over forty years that a Castro no longer held the office. With this change in leadership, Cuban officials have also moved to increase government involvement beyond a select group of leaders.

Unrest in Haiti: Government Reform Receives Backlash

By Alexis Takoushian
July 24, 2018

On July 6th, Haitians across the country were glued to televisions screens as they cheered on the Brazilian national team in the World Cup match against Belgium. While many Haitians were enthralled with the passion of World Cup soccer, the Haitian government was silently carrying out an agenda that would shake the country to its core.

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