Category: Americas

Biden Threatens Action Against Nicaragua After Socialist Ortega Wins Election

The Biden administration threatened sanctions against Nicaragua after longtime leader Daniel Ortega secured a fourth term in an election that observers say was a sham. In statements released by the White House, President Joe Biden said Ortega, a former Marxist guerrilla fighter, and Ortega’s wife and running mate—Rosario Murillo—”orchestrated” a “pantomime election that was neither…


Bolivians Reject ‘Gateway to Communism’ Law, Initiating Nationwide Civil Strike

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia—Trade union leaders and civic leaders in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz called upon businesses and transportation workers to unite in what they’re calling an “indefinite civil strike” in response to a new law approved by the nation’s legislature that some have called a “gateway to communism.” The strike against the socialist party…


Ecuadorian Migration Spike Driven by Poverty from Pandemic Aftermath

Among the thousands of migrants heading for the United States border this year, the number of Ecuadorians detained or deported by US border security reached 97,074 in September. That’s more than seven times the number of Ecuadorian migrants encountered by US border officials at the same time last year. William Murillo, an immigration attorney and co-founder…


4 High-Ranking Members of Sinaloa Cartel Charged With International Drug Trafficking

Four high-ranking members of the Sinaloa cartel were indicted on federal charges of international drug trafficking on Nov. 5, the Department of Justice announced. According to the DOJ, a federal grand jury indicted Aureliano Guzman-Loera of Sinaloa, Mexico, and brothers Ruperto, Jose, and Heriberto Salgueiro-Nevarez of Guadalupe Y Calvo, Mexico. The four high-ranking members of the cartel…


COVID-19 Vaccination Mandated for Children in Puerto Rico

Pedro Pierluisi, the governor of Puerto Rico, announced Wednesday that all school children aged 5 and older are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to attend school. Pierluisi claimed that few exceptions will be granted because the vaccines have been given approval for children from 5 to 11, according to The Associated Press….


Biden Administration Killed Cuba’s Democratization: Cuba Expert

Cuba’s democratic protests made international headlines a few months ago, but then suddenly disappeared. Marcell Felipe, a Cuba expert and an active community leader among Cuban Americans, claims it’s the Biden administration that killed the democratization process in Cuba. Felipe is an attorney and the founder of the Inspire America Foundation, an organization dedicated to…


Brazilian Singer and Latin Grammy Winner Dies in Plane Crash

SAO PAULO—Marília Mendonça, one of Brazil’s most popular singers and a Latin Grammy winner, died Friday in an airplane crash on her way to a concert. She was 26. Mendonça’s press office confirmed her death in a statement, and said four other passengers on the flight also perished. Their plane crashed between Mendonça’s hometown Goiania…


Haiti’s Fuel Crisis Deepens; Banks Announce Partial Closure

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti—Haiti’s fuel crisis is deepening, with the country’s Professional Association of Banks announcing Friday that a shortage of petroleum is forcing institutions to cut their hours and days as dozens of gas stations across the capital remained closed. Starting next week, banks will operate only three days a week instead of the usual six…


2 Dead in Dramatic Shootout Near Upscale Mexican Resorts

MEXICO CITY—A commando of drug gang gunmen on Thursday stormed ashore at a beach on Mexico’s resort-studded Caribbean coast in front of luxury hotels and executed two drug dealers from a rival gang. The dramatic shooting attack sent tourists scrambling for cover at the resort of Puerto Morelos, just south of Cancun. The two suspected…


Holiday Festivals Resume in Brazil as Pandemic Restrictions Relax

Brazil is readying itself for a return to festivals after an almost two-year ban on mass gatherings. In the state of Sao Paulo, pandemic restrictions on events ended on Nov. 1, marking a return to festivals after an almost 600 day ban on large public assemblies. There are dozens of events and trade shows already scheduled for the…