Americas Now

March 6, 2022

When Being Poor Co-exists with Dangers

In the Caribbean and Latin America, 1 out of every 5 people are living in slums. These slums are also often referred to as “informal settlements” within cities. For a poverty-stricken population, the low cost of living in these neighborhoods and the chance to make […]

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January 31, 2022

Former Guerilla Fighters Bring Tourism to the Jungle 

The rainforest and mountains in southern Colombia are home to stunning scenery and unique species. But for decades tourists weren’t able to go there because of the armed conflict. Now former FARC guerrillas have become tour guides and are teaching others about the land that […]

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January 31, 2022

Mexico’s COVID-19 Collateral Damage: Orphanhood

Mexico’s COVID death toll was one of the world’s highest. And according to official data, roughly 1.5 million children lost at least one parent since March of 2020. Alasdair Baverstock reports on Mexico’s pandemic orphans.   

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January 31, 2022

Cruise Industry Recovery Hindered by Omicron

After months of suspended operations, cruises are making a comeback. The multi-billion-dollar industry was pummeled during the pandemic. But bookings for 2022 are already higher than in 2019. John Zarrella tells us how cruise companies and passengers are adapting to new protocols.     

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January 16, 2022

Erratic rainfall in Honduras

During the last few years, it’s been a challenge for residents of Honduras to identify the “rainy season.” Rainfall in the country has become so unpredictable. Gerry Hadden reports. 

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December 20, 2021

Nicaragua Miskito People Facing the Worst of Climate Change

In November 2020, brutal back-to-back hurricanes smashed into Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast, knocking down homes and trees and washing away beaches. The ferocity of the storms, and their frequency, scientists say, are signs of climate change. If this is the new normal, then Central America is […]

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December 17, 2021

Brazilian Artist Seeks to Provoke With His Art

Thought-provoking artist Eduardo Srur aims at taking people out of their comfort zones to make them question their reality. He feels optimistic about his work and the power it has to transform future generations. Correspondent Maria Vals has his story.

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December 5, 2021

Mexico’s Modern Mayans

Mayan descendants still inhabit the Yucatan Peninsula in southeast Mexico and they defend their roots and culture. Correspondent Alasdair Baverstock paid them a visit.  

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December 5, 2021

Peru continues to battle COVID-19

During a large portion of 2021 Peru had the highest COVID-19 death rate per capita in the world. New variants of the deadly virus have emerged as the country races to vaccinate its population.

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December 5, 2021

Drug Overdose in the U.S.

In the U.S., nearly 100 thousand people overdosed and died in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mike Kirsch reports.

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November 21, 2021

A Close Look at the Oldest Solar Observatory in The Americas

It was called a “Masterpiece of human creative genius” by Unesco. It was given a “World Heritage” status in July, along with 12 other global sites. The Chankillo Astronomical Complex -a 2,300-year-old archeological site in Peru- is believed to be the oldest solar observatory in […]

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November 21, 2021

Venezuelans Entrepreneurship is on the Rise Despite All Odds

Venezuela has been in a deep recession since 2013. And like many other countries, it has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. But it’s not all gloom and doom. Perhaps because of the crisis, Venezuelans are showing more resilience. Despite all odds, some entrepreneurs […]

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November 21, 2021

Lagoon of Seven Colors in Mexico Threatened by Development

Mexico´s Lake Bacalar, on the border with Belize, attracts tourists from across the world. The lake is famous for its stunning colors. This geographical wonder is also a scientific gem concealing a unique organism. But as tourists come to see its crystal-clear waters, Alasdair Baverstock […]

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November 14, 2021

Close and personal with Bolivia’s president

From accounting to banking, public service to politics and from academia to Bolivia’s leader. Americas Now anchor, Elaine Reyes, sat down with him to talk about the pandemic, climate change and, of course, Bolivia´s economic situation.

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November 14, 2021

Pirates in the Gulf of Mexico

Pirates and robbing ships at sea may seem like a thing of the past. But in Mexico, a region famous for pirates, the practice continues. Alasdair Baverstick reports.

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November 11, 2021

The Parana River is at its Lowest Level in Living Memory

The Parana River in South America is the second-longest river. It runs almost 5 thousand kilometers through Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. But the Parana is at its lowest levels since the 1940s. Joel Richards reports on the economic and social impacts.   

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November 11, 2021

California Becomes Ground Zero for Wildfires 

Wildfire season in the U.S. normally runs from June to November. But this year began with frightening numbers and some very destructive activity early on. Mike Kirsch deployed to what has become ground zero for wildfires. The state of California.   

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September 1, 2021

COVID-19 Pandemic Devastates Argentina’s Economy

The pandemic has brought about the biggest shock to the global economy in decades. No country was prepared, but some were less prepared than others. Argentina was already two years into a recession when the first cases of the coronavirus were detected. And the country is […]

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September 1, 2021

Mexican Environmentalist Targeted With Violence

With nature under threat, you might think that defenders of the land and sea might be considered heroes. Not so in Latin America. For years, it has been one of the world’s deadliest regions for environmental activists. Colombia usually tops this tragic list. Mexico is […]

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September 1, 2021

Pedro Castillo: From Peasant To President

One month after taking office (July 28), Peruvian President Pedro Castillo finds himself with his back against the wall. Having won by the thinnest margin imaginable – just 44 thousand votes out of nearly 19 million – he is struggling to establish his legitimacy after […]

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September 1, 2021

The Monumental Task of Cleaning Mexican Cenotes

Mexico is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, with arid deserts and steamy jungles, raging coastlines and soaring mountain peaks. And in the Yucatan peninsula, a region home to the Mayan culture for millennia, local environmental activists are working to protect their unique subaquatic ecosystems – the cenotes. Mexico […]

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August 10, 2021

Antonio Diaz’s First And Last Olympic Games

He’s an icon in the world of karate. He’s won more medals than anyone else in the martial art during a career that’s lasted more than three decades. But there’s one prize that Venezuelan Antonio Díaz has never won: an Olympic medal. And that’s because […]

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August 10, 2021

Guatemalans Learn to Coexist With Active Volcanoes

Guatemala’s Pacaya volcano has been erupting for the last three weeks. Its 3,500 meter-long lava flow is now threatening two rural communities and countless agricultural fields. While the economic impact on agriculture is strong, there are those who are benefitting from an increase in tourists […]

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August 10, 2021

Labor Shortage Threatens Service Industry

During the height of the pandemic with everything in Lockdown/Shutdown, millions of people lost their jobs. Now, as nations are reopening, the restaurant and hospitality industries are struggling to find employees. Restaurants in Florida are closing one and two days a week because they don’t […]

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August 10, 2021

Anger Overflowing Into Colombia’s Streets

As Colombia reached its first month since anti-government protests erupted, correspondent Michelle Begue tried to find out the reason why people are so frustrated. She talked to parents, artists, teachers and young professionals who explained what’s behind the rage. The emotionally-explosive and conflictive situation has […]

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