Americas Now

Raging wildfires engulf forests across Chile

Peru’s Potato: A starchy spud that adapts to every eco-system

In Peru, the potato was cultivated during the Inca Empire for thousands of years. Today it’s grown almost everywhere and considered a top food staple along with rice, corn and wheat. Dan Collyns reports from the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Former FARC fighters getting “back-on-track” creating backpacks

In Colombia, one community of former guerrillas is using the skills they acquired in the jungle as tailors – making uniforms and tents – to launch a new enterprise. And their business is taking off. Our Game Changer is Andres Zuluaga.

A Mexican man using famous personalities to make pinatas

Coming in all shapes and sizes, party guests take turns hitting the pinata with a stick in order to break it open and grab the candies and gifts hidden inside. Meet our Urban Voice, Dalton Ramirez.

Macaws add a colorful contrast to the chaos of Caracas

Macaws are a vibrant diversion to residents whose lives have lost luster from Venezuela’s economic crisis.

A ride-sharing service catering to Brazil’s favelas

Sao Paulo, Brazil has the highest number of Uber users worldwide. But there are certain areas in Brazil’s biggest city where the ride-sharing service refuses to go.

The legacy of Cuban musician Compay Segundo and his unusual guitar

The group of elderly musicians who recorded the album included Francisco Repilado, also known as Compay Segundo. His son has carried on his legacy since Francisco’s death in 2003.

Breeding exotic frogs to curb illegal animal trafficking in Colombia

In Colombia, the international trafficking of rare frogs is threatening the survival of some species. Our Game Changer has come up with a way to save them from that fate.

Reckless dumping causes trash troubles for Tulum, Mexico

One of Mexico’s most popular beach resorts has a waste problem. So a chef from a local restaurant devised a way to use it to make compost.

Chilean salmon industry faces opposition from environmentalists

In 2018, several hundred thousand salmon escaped from their pen. Environmental groups and local communities labelled it a disaster. Joel Richards traveled to the southern part of Chile to find out more.

50th anniversary of Apollo Moon Landing coincides with renewed interest in space

Fifty years ago, on July 20th 1969, man first walked on the moon.

Brazil’s Nature Museum exhibits evidence of man’s arrival in the Americas

A Brazilian archaeologist journeyed to an area of ancient rock and thorn forests in the remote, northeastern part of the country. Niede Guidon has achieved her life’s ambition by opening a museum to display those discoveries.

A biologist protecting Peru’s Giant Manta Rays from being at risk

Giant manta rays can live up to 40 years and weigh over 2200 kilograms. They’re under threat from getting entangled in fishing nets or being caught for their gill plates, which are used in Chinese medicine. Meet biologist Kerstin Forsberg.

Dancers wait all year to celebrate Carnival in Oruro

The town of Oruro is a city best known for its Carnival which brings together tens of thousands of dancers and an even greater number of spectators along the three-kilometer-long parade every year.

A stadium in Bolivia is the highest above sea level

Home to the football club “Always Ready,” the professional stadium is more than 4,000 meters above sea level.

La Reyna y La Real shows female rappers and rhyming are on the rise in Cuba

Our Urban Voice is “La Reyna y La Real.” They’ve dedicated their lyrics to the empowerment of other women while covering their struggles and triumphs.

American football helps rehabilitate prisoners in Mexico

One man began coaching a football team in unusual circumstances and today the team is generating buzz in the local leagues. Formed by prison inmates, the team is called “The Evil Machine.” Meet our Game Changer Coach Mateo Zambrano.

Chile’s Atacama Desert becomes a tourist destination for a total solar eclipse

The Coquimbo region in Chile is gearing up for what is expected to be one of the biggest astronomical events of the century. This remote area in the Chilean desert will be the focal point for a total eclipse of the sun. Harris Whitbeck reports.

Brazil’s president relaxes restrictions on gun possession

Gun clubs in Brazil have reported a surge in interest ever since Jair Bolsonaro was elected President in October of 2018.

Hispanics in Texas are becoming the majority in an historic population shift

Within the next few years, Texas will make history as it will become the first state with a majority Hispanic population. John Zarrella went to south Texas and tells us why.

Bolivia’s high altitude helps produce “high-quality” wine

As Bolivian wines become more familiar to the international market the challenge is finding the right way to sell them. Whitbeck traveled to Bolivia’s wine region to tell us more.

A social experiment in a Bogota school helps eliminate prejudice

A doll in a Bogota classroom is behind one of the country’s most successful program’s against racism. Our Game Changer is Colombian teacher Carmenza Novoa.

Los Jathas mixes ancestral melodies from the Andes with non-traditional sounds

A group in Bolivia is continuing with the tradition of playing folkloric tunes but with a modern approach. The Bolivian band known as “Los Jathas” is this week’s Urban Voice.

A cannabis-infused drink introduced in Uruguay

Yerba mate is a plant grown in South America. Some in Uruguay have added another plant to the popular brew…cannabis.

A coach in El Salvador helps put young people on the right path with fencing

A coach in El Salvador started a school to teach kids and young adults how to fence with the hope of keeping them from getting into trouble on the streets.

“Femina” is a female band from Patagonia focused on peace, love and “harmony”

Femina’s new album is called “Perlas and Conchas” which means “Pearls and Shells” in English. The album includes a musical collaboration with the “Godfather of Punk”… Iggy Pop. Check out our Urban Voice on the Urban Fusion trio… “Femina.”

A 14 year-old bank CEO from Peru teaching kids how to save

Jose’s bank serves over 2,000 clients and offers a variety of financial services. Today he is 14 and the CEO of the Bartselana Student Bank in Peru. Meet Game Changer Jose Quisocala.

A controversial new airport in Peru will bring more visitors to Machu Picchu

Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas has survived five centuries of conquest, earthquakes, landslides and mass tourism. Now, archaeologists and historians are asking if it can withstand the building of an international airport. Dan Collyns reports.

Expanding the rights of domestic workers in Mexico

Despite recent reforms, domestic workers remain a part of the informal labor sector in several Latin American countries. Correspondent Lara Rodriguez shows us what the Mexican government is doing to change the status quo of domestic workers.

Work camps in Ecuador prompt allegations of modern-day slavery

News of horrifying conditions at plantations along Ecuador’s Pacific coast recently made headlines. They were described as instances of modern slavery. Correspondent Harris Whitbeck traveled to the region to assess the situation first-hand.

Kids sacrifice their school vacations trying to build the world’s best robot

Once a year, thousands of kids from dozens of countries gather in Louisville, Kentucky to show off their ability to build a robot. And hopefully demonstrate theirs is the best. Correspondent John Zarrella takes us to the World Robotics Championship.

Prisoners receiving therapy in a new rehab program in Colombia

According to Colombian authorities in Bogota, 75 percent of imprisoned youth return to a life of crime once they complete their sentence. It’s a validation that receiving effective rehabilitation can be a challenge.

A hit movie boosts guitar sales in Paracho, Mexico

Our Urban Voice is a guitar maker or luthier in the city of Paracho. Meet Salvador Meza.

Harvesting honey becomes big business in Cuba

For years Cuba was unable to import pesticides and learned to produce its honey without using chemicals.

An ancient Mexican ceremony involving acrobats and a pole

A school in central Mexico is trying to preserve an ancient ceremony. It’s called “Danza de los Voladores” or the Dance of the Flyers.

A ‘free town’ formed by Africans who escaped slavery in Colombia

Our Urban Voice is Kombilesa Mi, a hip hop group from San Basilio de Palenque, Colombia who is preserving history with their music.

Love Futbol gives at-risk kids in Mexico safe places to play

Cartel violence in Mexico has made outdoor recreation dangerous for children. Our Game Changer is someone who is very aware of the social impact a healthy upbringing can have on society.

Peru’s ‘Treasure of Names’ is a treasure trove of indigenous history

Many indigenous people have both a public name and a private one used at home.

Mexico offers economic incentives to keep its citizens from migrating to US

Mexico’s newly elected president says he’s responded aggressively to pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to stop undocumented immigrants from crossing into the United States.

Improving the nutrition of Guatemalan children with goat milk

Nutritional deficiencies can hinder physical and mental development in children. But an organization started a program to help eliminate malnutrition. Their idea was to provide families with a goat.

Latin America’s largest open dump closes in Brasilia

Thousands of people lived and worked Brasilia’s dump, pulling from the waste anything that could be reused or resold.

Mexicans finding fame, fortune and “followers” on YouTube

In Mexico, more children have access to the internet than ever. It’s not only helping them find their own voices, its opening up new career paths for them as well.

An oil painter from Mexico specializing in “hyper-realism”

Most of the time, artists like to detach themselves from reality. But in Mexico, reality is the source of inspiration for one painter. Omar Ortiz stands out as one of the most promising hyper-realistic painters in the art world.

A “conservative” island off the Chilean coast named after Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe Island is part of a national park and a leader in ocean and wildlife conservation.

Cuba’s cigar industry finds a massive market in China

Hand-rolled cigars are one of Cuba’s leading exports. And the island nation has recently witnessed record sales for their premium product.

A visit to the studio of the fastest painter in the world in Ecuador

One maestro in Ecuador completes his works in a matter of minutes. Our Urban Voice is Carlos Ortega.

“Could you spare an hour?” gives medical treatment to those in need in Argentina

A doctor is donating his time to give medical attention to Argentina’s most vulnerable. Our Game Changer is Doctor Mariano Masiocchi.

Mezcal: A sought-after-spirit that originates in Mexico

In Mexico, alcohol is big business. Correspondent Alasdair Baverstock takes us to the birthplace of Mezcal.

Property owners in Texas could see their land taken away for the wall with Mexico

The U.S. government has started giving notice to many homes and businesses in the Rio Grande Valley telling them that it wants to acquire their land. John Zarrella traveled to Texas to tell us some of their stories.

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