Americas Now

Argentina is Facing Vaccination Challenges as COVID-19 Cases Increase

January 27, 2019

Robberies on the rise in Lake Chapala – a community in Mexico popular with expats

Most of Mexico’s worst crime has been restricted to certain areas like the southern part of the country or along its border with the United States. Alasdair Baverstock traveled to Lake Chapala to take a closer look at the escalating tension.

January 27, 2019

A Mexican artist giving support to migrants with sculpture

Thousands of Central American migrants make a hazardous journey across Mexico in hopes of reaching the United States. A Mexican artist has made it his mission to extend a hand to those migrants. Our Urban Voice is Libre Gutierrez.

January 27, 2019

A mother whose daughter was taken from her at US border talks to “Americas Now”

An infant was taken from her mother’s arms by U.S. Border Patrol agents when the two crossed illegally into the United States. For the first time Alexa’s mother Araceli Ramos tells her story to Correspondent Mike Kirsch in El Salvador.

January 25, 2019

This week on Americas Now: Border Separation

A U.S. judge grants temporary custody of a child foster parents. But the mother is deported back to El Salvador.

January 20, 2019

Dance instructor gives those with disabilities a chance to tell their stories

A ballerina, and student of psychology, combined her two passions to push people with disabilities to re-think their limitations. Our Game Changer on “Americas Now” is the founder of Mexico’s Inclusive Contemporary Dance Company Lorena Nieva.

January 20, 2019

Bird experts discover new hummingbird species in Ecuador

A new hummingbird has been discovered in Ecuador. Take a look at these images of the Hillstar.

January 20, 2019

An architect from Mexico achieves sky-high success in New York

For our Urban Voice on “Americas Now” meet the founder of Ismael Leyva Architects… Ismael Leyva.

January 20, 2019

A conversation with Chandra Roy-Henriksen on indigenous peoples of the world

Elaine Reyes sat down with Chandra Roy-Henriksen, Secretariat of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. They discuss language preservation and other issues and challenges affecting indigenous populations especially in the Americas.

January 20, 2019

Colombian town has high number of residents with Fragile X Syndrome

For decades the rural town called Ricaurte had developed a reputation for having ‘offbeat’ citizens who exhibited strange conduct. Correspondent Michelle Begue traveled to the Colombian town to bring us this report.

January 13, 2019

Mexico’s notorious drug lord “El Chapo” Guzman faces justice in a US courtroom

U.S. government prosecutors claim “El Chapo” Guzman smuggled billions of dollars in illegal narcotics to the United States. He’s also charged with ordering the murders of those standing in his way. Mike Kirsch tells us more from New York City.

January 13, 2019

Using clean energy to transform transportation in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the only country in the Americas that has formally pledged to go zero-carbon. Harris Whitbeck reports from San Jose, Costa Rica.

January 13, 2019

Dancing dressed as an ox at the Bumba-meu-boi festival in Brazil

Our Urban Voice is the tale of Sao Luis. It’s a surreal, theatrical performance of a story that originated in the 18th century and features both human and mythological characters – and an ox.

January 13, 2019

An ancient crop brings sweet rewards to residents in Guatemala

Our Game Changer is teaching women in her community how to cultivate chocolate. It’s a way to stabilize the land and provide extra income to their families.

January 6, 2019

3-D technology allows immigrants to visit loved ones they left behind

Throughout the U.S. there are thousands of immigrants whose status makes it virtually impossible for them to leave the country and visit their homelands. Now, one young man is using virtual reality to make what has been virtually impossible…possible.

January 6, 2019

Scientists help prevent further destruction of Peru’s Amazon forest

The most bio-diverse ecosystem in Peru’s Amazon region is the Madre de Dios. It’s also one of the most under threat from deforestation. Correspondent Dan Collyns visited the area to survey the damage.

January 6, 2019

Bogota may not hold Carnival, but it does have a spectacular theater festival

Audience members experience a full range of emotions as they enjoy spectacles on twenty different stages. Our Urban Voice is the Ibero-American Theatre Festival in Bogota.

January 6, 2019

Lack of regulation in Mexico’s fireworks business has an explosive outcome

One community outside of Mexico City is built around the fireworks industry. And it’s lost dozens of people in explosions. Correspondent Alasdair Baverstock traveled to the town of Tultepec to tell us more.

January 6, 2019

Ice artisans from China construct a holiday exhibit in the U.S.

Harbin, China is famous for being home to the world’s largest ice and snow festival. Thousands of artisans construct massive sculptures from river ice to create entire cities.

December 30, 2018

Brazil’s new president could send the country on a new course

The country of Brazil has a new president. His name is Jair Bolsonaro and in addition to being a former Congressman, he’s also a former army captain.

December 30, 2018

An interview with Brazil’s newly-elected Congresswoman Joice Hasselmann

From political commentator to Congress. A journalist who gained popularity as a conservative commentator has been elected to Brazil’s Congress. And she won by a record number of votes.

December 30, 2018

Empowering kids with Down Syndrome through photography

Several years ago a photographer in Sao Paulo had an innovative idea. She gave her son a camera and brought him along on one of her shoots. Her son has Down Syndrome and the camera boosted his confidence and helped him discover a new world.

December 30, 2018

Math genius turned Congresswoman addresses education inequality in Brazil

Tabata Amaral is a math prodigy who grew up on the peripheries of Sao Paulo. Now she’s become a politician who has just been elected to the National Congress.

December 23, 2018

A 2015 dam break in Brazil that covered villages in toxic mud

Three years ago, a dam filled with mining waste burst in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.

December 23, 2018

Antivenom from Costa Rica could help snake bite victims in poor regions

There are scientists who believe climate change is responsible for affecting every living species on earth. And they have launched research projects on several fronts. One that might at first seem unexpected is taking place in Costa Rica. It involves a species that is among […]

December 23, 2018

A Bolivian boy with “special abilities” proves nothing is impossible

A boy born with one hand who created his own prosthesis is now making artificial hands for others.

December 23, 2018

Canto Llano: Songs sung by cowboys on the plains of Colombia

Cowboys have graced the grasslands of Colombia and Venezuela for centuries. Their unique traditions and culture have even been admired and recognized by UNESCO — the United Nations Cultural Agency.

December 23, 2018

White lions charm visitors at zoo in Peru

A pair of rare white lion cubs were born in Mexico in 2018. They have since been transferred to Peru.

December 20, 2018

An interview with legendary rock star Fito Paez

Fito Paez is one of Latin America´s best-known classic rock stars. Today he continues to sing about life, the inevitability of change, and what we as a society can do about it.

December 16, 2018

Steeped in literary tradition, Buenos Aires is a book lover’s dream

Hundreds of bookstores still line the streets in Argentina’s capital and many consider it to be one of the “literary” capitals of Latin America. The metropolis boasts more bookstores per capita than any other city in the world.

December 16, 2018

Fighting food waste in Argentina by delivering it to those in need

Reducing food waste is also important to achieving food security. Food loss is a big problem for Argentina. Forty percent of the food produced in the country is thrown away.

December 16, 2018

The plunge of the peso in Argentina triggers a financial crisis

A year ago the future looked bright for Argentina. President Mauricio Macri had helped the country dodge a recession and the stock market was booming.

December 9, 2018

Scientists leaving Mexico cause a “brain drain” for the country

he Mexican government is reporting that in the last 30 years more than a million Mexican scientists, researchers and intellectuals have left Mexico to find work in the United States and other countries. Correspondent Mike Kirsch tells us more in his report.

December 9, 2018

Epsy Campbell: Costa Rica’s first female Vice President of Afro-descent

Economist Epsy Campbell-Barr became Costa Rica’s first woman, of Afro-descent, to reach Vice Presidency. Americas Now anchor, Elaine Reyes, sat down with her during the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York.

December 9, 2018

A Mexican fishing village becomes a top destination for biodiversity

Cabo Pulmo is a small fishing village in Mexico that almost disappeared. The cause of its demise was actually “too much” fishing. Correspondent Alasdair Baverstock explains from Mexico.

December 9, 2018

Birdwatcher in Brazil uses webcams to raise awareness of the rainforest

A Brazilian birdwatcher switched on the country’s first wildlife streaming webcam, so that enthusiasts all over the world could watch the extraordinary wildlife in the Atlantic rainforest, from the comfort of their homes. Meet Luciano Breves.

December 9, 2018

Former presidents of Latin America reflect on the significance of the G20 Summit

“Americas Now” asked some former Latin American presidents if summits like the G20 really are useful to Latin America.

December 9, 2018

Argentina in the spotlight on world’s stage at 2018 G20 Summit

Devaluation of the local currency in Argentina and inflation have taken an enormous toll. Correspondent Correspondent Joel Richards tells us more about the G20 host country, and the role it played during the talks.

December 9, 2018

Original NAFTA agreement may have caused an obesity epidemic in Mexico

It has been a very productive ride for Mexico during the 24 year NAFTA agreement. For example, its GDP per capita jumped up over 20 percent. But there have been some downsides too. Especially in the way Mexicans consume and eat.

December 9, 2018

Mired in a financial crisis, Argentina becomes a hotbed for cryptocurrencies

Argentina has considerable experience in bitcoins and similar tokens and, increasingly, blockchain technology.

November 18, 2018

An interview with Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Valencia

The United Nations estimates that some 2.6 million Venezuelans have left their homeland in the last couple of years. But experts believe that number may be double. Elaine Reyes interviews Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Valencia.

November 18, 2018

Some Puerto Ricans still in the dark after island’s long blackout

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, or PREPA, says electrical service has returned to all homes. But is that actually true? And is the island’s grid repaired? Nitza Soledad Perez went to Puerto Rico to search for answers.

November 18, 2018

Chileans living in Finland who fled a 1973 military coup

The year was 1973. A rookie Finnish diplomat named Tapani Brotherus gave refuge to hundreds of Chileans as the army took over the streets and hunted down opponents.

November 18, 2018

Creating green spaces to improve quality-of-life in Mexico

Mexico City is notorious for its congestion and air pollution. But one man is convinced the tide can change. For our Game Changer meet the founder of the Via Verde program Fernando Ortiz.

November 11, 2018

Many families living in poor conditions due to Brazil’s housing crisis

Sao Paulo suffers from vast economic inequality, which drives poor families to occupy and squat in empty abandoned buildings throughout the Brazilian municipality. Maria Valls reports on why the city is not able to keep up with housing needs.

November 11, 2018

Former Ecuadorian President recalls signing historic peace accord with Peru

During the 20th century, Ecuador and Peru fought over territory in the Amazon Rainforest three different times. In 1998 Ecuador´s President Jamil Mahuad and his Peruvian colleague Alberto Fujimori decided to change their history of dispute.