Americas Now

Thousands of migrants stranded in Mexico live a life of struggle

March 15, 2020

A tiny island in the Caribbean is home of some of the world’s fastest

They call Jamaica “The Sprinter Factory.” Two of the three fastest men in history come from this country.

March 15, 2020

Chile’s ambitious plan to preserve its natural patrimony

In early 2019, thanks to a large “land” donation, Chile was able to unite multiple national parks in the south of the country.

March 15, 2020

Commercial surrogacy surging in Mexico

Commercial surrogacy has become big business in places like Mexico. Alasdair Baverstock reports.

March 15, 2020

Is Latin America ready for COVID-19? A conversation with epidemiologist Manuel Patarroyo

Manuel Patarroyo developed a partial vaccine against malaria and became one of Latin America’s most renowned scientists.

March 9, 2020

Arms trafficking is a “Big Business” in Central America

In El Salvador gangs are well-armed but where are they getting their weapons?

March 9, 2020

A conversation about opportunities with a Champion of women

As the first female Vice-President of African descent in the Americas, Epsy Campbell-Barr leads an agenda of inclusion and opportunities in her country.

March 9, 2020

Ecuadorian bus drivers took the highway to innovation by travelling to the other side of the world

In 1995 Quito was the first city in South America to incorporate hybrid buses connected to electrical grids, but Ecuadorians are now incorporation fully electric vehicles. Correspondent Harris Whitbeck reports.

March 9, 2020

The young Colombian artist who became a singing sensation in China

Daniela Rojas is a young Colombian artist who became a singing sensation in China. Correspondent Ediz Tiyansan reports.

February 23, 2020

Chile is seeking UNESCO designation for their millennia-old mummies

Roughly 2,000 years before ancient Egyptians, the Chinchorro civilization developed a mummification process in northern Chile and southern Peru.

February 23, 2020

Oaxaca’s cuisine: the cradle of Mexican food

Mexican food has the distinction of being one of the world’s most popular cuisines. Famous from Texas to Tokyo for its tacos and burritos. The authentic dishes have conquered minds and palates.

February 23, 2020

Communities in Colombia are leading the way in water conservation

As water scarcity becomes a growing concern around the world, community leaders and scientists in Colombia are leading the way in preserving water resources.

February 2, 2020

A worsening epidemic targeting Mexicans

Narco-trafficking cartels in Mexico are finding new markets without smuggling drugs across the border. Alasdair Baverstock reports on how crystal meth is in high demand.

February 2, 2020

Latin America and the Olympic movement

Correspondent Harris Whitbeck sat down with Willi Kaltschmitt to talk about the upcoming Tokyo Summer Games.

February 2, 2020

Activists fight HIV and AIDS in Peru’s Amazon rainforest

The Amazon region of Peru combats HIV and AIDS. Correspondent Dan Collyns reports.

February 2, 2020

Latin Vox Machine: The sound of music in a home away from home

Latin Vox Machine is an orchestra of Venezuelan musicians based in Argentina’s capital.

January 23, 2020

Dollarization in Ecuador turns 20 years old

Former president of Ecuador Jamil Mahuad remembers why and how Ecuador adopted the U.S. dollar as its own currency in January 2000 on the 20th anniversary of dollarization in the country.

January 19, 2020

Following an Argentinean tango team on their quest to win the World Cup

Every year, Buenos Aires hosts the largest tango festival and competition in the world. Dancers from around the globe come to Argentina’s capital to compete in what has been called the “Tango World Cup.”

January 19, 2020

Acapulco – from Hollywood’s playground to murderous city

Acapulco, a beach resort town located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, is known for its beautiful vistas and beaches. It became famous during Hollywood’s Golden Age when famous entertainers would head across the border for a glamorous escape. But in recent years, it’s become […]

January 19, 2020

Chile is a front-runner in Latin America’s Artificial Intelligence race

Chile is making its mark in the world, and specifically in the Latin America, with its focus on technology. But as the the country moves closer to its goal, it sees the need for more coordinated policies. That and the desire to build a more […]

January 19, 2020

Researchers claim they’ve developed cheap and clean hydrogen fuel

A new process, successfully tested in laboratories and on the fields, has the potential to extract hydrogen from abundant underground resources, like the Oil Sands in Canada, while leaving the carbon monoxide emissions below the surface.

January 12, 2020

The first motion picture filmed in the US with an all-Latino cast

Mike Kirsch has this report about “inclusion” in the U.S. film industry.

January 12, 2020

Alicia Barcena explains why 2020 will be a hard year for the Americas

Latin America faced a tough year in 2019 and 2020 isn’t looking great either. Elaine Reyes talks with Alicia Barcena, the head of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

January 12, 2020

Chile reveals a serious failure in wealth distribution

Chile’s economy grew but it didn’t reflect all segments of society. Harris Whitbeck went to Santiago in a moment when Chileans were re-thinking their country’s priorities.

December 15, 2019

Skyrocketing Insulin prices push people to ration life-saving drug

Seven and a half million people in the United States suffer from type 1 diabetes and depend on insulin to survive. But in the last five years, the cost of the life-saving drug in the U.S. has doubled reaching prices up to $300 a vial.

December 15, 2019

Sargazo algae attacks Mexico’s pristine beaches

A seaweed invasion is threatening Mexico’s pristine beaches and coral reefs. And tourism is taking a hit, as inhabitants and authorities look for innovative solutions to fight the ubiquitous algae.

December 15, 2019

“Champion of Earth” Costa Rica leads the “green” agenda

Costa Rica was named “Champion of the Earth” by the United Nations for fighting climate change. President Carlos Alvarado explains what is next on the country’s green agenda.

December 15, 2019

A Colombian family’s long ride on the Pan-American Highway

It’s a highway that connects Alaska with Tierra del Fuego, in the Southern Cone. “Americas Now” follows a family on a two year-long road trip along the longest road in the world.

December 11, 2019

Up close and personal with one of Mexico’s most surprising stars – Yalitza Aparicio

Yalitza Aparicio made headlines for her leading role in Alfonso Cuaron’s celebrated film “Roma.” And she very nearly won an Oscar for her acting debut.

December 9, 2019

Statelessness in Colombia has left thousands of children without a nationality

Venezuelans relocate to Colombia according to the country’s Migration Director. Among those migrating are pregnant women.

December 8, 2019

A conversation with OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria

Angel Gurria is the head of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or OECD. Elaine Reyes sat down with him to ask about global economy and the possibility of a global recession.

November 23, 2019

Ecuador fiscal deficit threatens dollarization

Ecuador is not in the best shape economically. The government tried to eliminate gasoline and diesel subsidies — but it didn’t go well. After 11 days of violent protests, the government was forced to look for alternatives.

November 23, 2019

Latinos taking over punk-rock music

They’re crossing over into a musical genre that some say isn’t meant to be theirs: punk-rock music. Usually dominated by Anglo-American bands, these groups are of Latino descendant.

November 22, 2019

A program reunites undocumented migrants with elderly relatives

In the U.S., a broken immigration system has resulted in thousands of immigrants living in the country undocumented. But a new program is trying to alleviate that burden by facilitating a brief family reunion in the U.S..

November 22, 2019

Girls in El Salvador are choosing suicide over a life of misery

El Salvador, labeled as one of the most violent countries in Latin America, also has the highest rates of femicides in the region. With a third of its population living in extreme poverty, a high percentage of women do not have access to higher education

November 18, 2019

Amazon deforestation remains a concern even after the fires

Correspondent Stephen Gibbs reports on how a variety of factors are contributing to the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.

November 18, 2019

Brazil’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade Marcos Troyjo discusses BRICS

“Americas Now” anchor Elaine Reyes met with Brazil’s Deputy Minister of Trade Marcos Troyjo to ask him about Brazil’s exports and how being part of BRICS is contributing to the country’s economy.

November 17, 2019

BRICS nations meet in Brazil to discuss global issues and accelerate trade

The leaders of Brazil, Russia, China, India and South Africa (BRICS) convened in Brasilia, for the 2019 BRICS Summit. “Americas Now” anchor Elaine Reyes is on location in Brazil.

November 17, 2019

Billionaires give a boost to Brazil’s luxury market

Brazil’s currency exchange rates and lower taxes have triggered a very successful luxury market. “Americas Now” Anchor Elaine Reyes went window shopping on some chic streets to check out Brazil’s luxury lifestyle.

November 3, 2019

Panama’s most well-known hat is originally from Ecuador

Panama hats are finely-woven by hand, made of straw and intended to protect those who wear them from the strong sun. But if you ever go to Panama, look up the “Pintado hat.” That is actually the hat originally from Panama. John Zarrella reports.

November 3, 2019

Gender violence survivor becomes voice for Me Too in Peru

A victim, whose case went public, has unintentionally become the face of the Me Too movement in Peru. Dan Collyns reports.

November 3, 2019

A conversation with former Mexican ambassador Arturo Sarukhan on the US-Mexico border wall

Is the wall being used to push a political agenda? That’s one of the questions “Americas Now” anchor Elaine Reyes asked former Mexican ambassador to the U.S. Arturo Sarukhan

November 3, 2019

Lack of water disrupts lives and creates a threat to public health In Venezuela

Lack of water has also been behind the massive wave of migration from Venezuela affecting the entire South American region. Stephen Gibbs reports.

October 27, 2019

A talented clay artist gives animated lessons on Colombia’s history

His short films have become a hit on social media. And his goal is to take his project live and on the road across the country.

October 27, 2019

Cannabis business in Uruguay still grows six years after legalization

In Uruguay the cannabis industry, from plantation to market, is growing and diversifying steadily.

October 27, 2019

Former presidential advisor in Venezuela discusses the nation’s political dynamic

Temir Porras was chief of staff for Maduro’s government and a highly-ranked official in the Chavez administration.

October 27, 2019

Conservationists fight for the survival of the ocean’s most imperiled porpoise

A group of environmentalists, from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, has set out on a mission to save the vaquita. Franc Contreras travelled with them on the Sea of Cortez to report on this tangled tale.