Latin America

What are the real causes?

CIUDAD HIDALGO, Mexico (AP) — Mexico’s government on Monday highlighted the weekend “rescue” of nearly 800 migrants packed into semi-trailers, calling the operation a message that authorities are getting serious about combatting human smuggling.

The elections were marked by allegations of corruption and political uncertainty.

TAPACHULA, Mexico (AP) — The 36-year-old Cuban mechanic’s eyes glazed over as he recalled his time at the Siglo XXI holding facility: 50 people sleeping in 9-by-12-foot pens, feces overflowing the latrines, food and water always scarce.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Undaunted by a dangerous journey over thousands of miles, people fleeing economic hardship and human rights abuses in African countries are coming to the U.S.-Mexico border in unprecedented numbers, surprising Border Patrol agents more accustomed to Spanish-speaking migrants.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — A massive blackout left more than 44 million people without electricity in Argentina and Uruguay on Sunday after an unexplained failure in the neighboring countries’ interconnected power grid. Authorities were working frantically to restore power but only about a half a million in Argentina had electricity back by early afternoon.

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Major European nations are considering imposing sanctions on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and several top officials for their recent crackdown on political opponents, although divisions remain over the timing of any action for fear of derailing a negotiated exit to the country’s crisis, The Associated Press has learned.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s immigration chief resigned Friday and the country’s prisons director was swiftly nominated to replace him, as the country embarks on a crackdown on irregular migration through its territory in response to U.S. pressure.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s immigration chief presented his resignation to the president Friday as the country embarks on a crackdown on irregular migration through its territory in response to U.S. pressure.

On June 16, the country will go to the polls to elect a successor to former comedian Jimmy Morales, who rode a wave of anti-corruption protests to office as an outsider candidate in 2015.

Governor Ricardo Rosselló withdrew the controversial bill.

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Despite a dark past, today many LGBT citizens in Latin America are enjoying the right to marry, choose their gender identity and adopt children. But while laws in several of the region’s biggest countries are changing, that doesn’t necessarily translate into a broader societal shift toward acceptance.

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Sweden is hosting talks between major powers with stakes in dealing with Venezuela’s political turmoil, the latest effort to jumpstart flagging attempts to find a peaceful solution to the country’s deepening crisis.

It was was for a radio show.

The ACLU claims the USCG officers accused the fishermen of drug-smuggling, burned their two-engine boat, ankle-chained them to the cutter’s deck and transferred them three more times to other Coast Guard vessels.

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican officials say two jailed immigration activists have been set free due to lack of evidence following accusations of migrant trafficking.

Among the released prisoners, are the foremost leaders of the civic revolt.

BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — The names of the dead are filling Colombia’s storied Bolívar Plaza.

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Rolando Bustamante watches his employees turn out one concrete block after another, occasionally checking an electronic tablet that records orders from clients and that lets him communicate with suppliers.

The State of Texas is investing more than $50 million to test the rape kit backlog, hire necessary staff and implement the technological infrastructure needed to avoid a backlog in the future.

MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Principal leaders of protests against President Daniel Ortega’s government and two prominent journalists were freed from prison Tuesday ahead of a June 18 deadline to release the last of hundreds of people the opposition considers political prisoners.