Americas Now

From farmers to entrepreneurs in the middle of the Andes

June 24, 2018

Migrant caravan from Latin America faces an uncertain future in U.S.

Migration remains one of President Donald Trump’s political pressure points, as he promises to crack down on illegal immigration like never before.

June 24, 2018

A new airport creates controversy in Mexico

Mexico’s outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto is building what he claims will be the world’s most sustainable airport on the outskirts of Mexico City.

June 17, 2018

Guatemala’s “Volcano of Fire” covers entire communities in ash

Guatemala is part of a zone known as “The Ring of Fire” – a seismically- active region in which both earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent.

June 17, 2018

Colombian families still search for loved ones after an eruption in 1985

Colombia’s Nevado de Ruiz brought on devastation in 1985 when it unleashed a flood of lava and mud that engulfed the town of Armero. Correspondent Michelle Begue has the story.

June 17, 2018

A survivor of domestic violence regains her identity with graffiti art

A rising star known as “Brazil’s Graffiti Queen”, was once a victim of domestic violence. Meet our Game Changer Panmela Castro.

June 13, 2018

This Week On Americas Now: Volcano Catastrophe

he violent eruption of Guatemala’s “Volcano of Fire” has left hundreds dead, injured and missing.

June 10, 2018

FIFA Corruption Scandal plays out in U.S. courts

The 2022 World Cup is scheduled to be played in Qatar. It’s the first time an Arab nation will host the games. Despite the FIFA Corruption Scandal there have been no plans announced to alter the location for 2022.

June 10, 2018

World Cup fever in Peru unites the country

It hasn’t been since 1982 that Peru’s national team has played in the World Cup. The euphoria of loyal fans has led to retail madness as sales of football jerseys and wide-screen tv’s have hit record levels. Dan Collyns reports on the football fever.

June 10, 2018

Venezuela’s under-17 women’s football team defies expectations

Venezuelan society didn’t pay much attention to female football teams. That quickly changed in 2016 when the country’s under-17 women’s national team surpassed all expectations. Correspondent Stephen Gibbs tells us more about their tale of triumph.

May 27, 2018

Remittances from relatives abroad are a lifeline for Haitians

Two-thirds of migrants from Latin America live in the United States. One of the countries that receives the most is Haiti, where the money accounts for almost 35 % of the GDP. Correspondent John Zarrella reports.

May 27, 2018

Cosmetic surgery can come at a high cost in Colombia

The pressure to attain the perfect face or body has led to a booming plastic surgery industry. Correspondent Michelle Begue reports from Bogota on some plastic surgeries that have gone wrong.

May 27, 2018

A conversation about the effect of remittance money on Latin America

These “money transfers” are known as “remittances.” And for countries in Latin America they can amount to billions of dollars each year.

May 27, 2018

A museum in Guatemala that teaches kids the importance of birds

Lake Atitlan in Guatemala has become such a popular destination for bird watchers, the region has seen an increase in local residents becoming bird guides.

May 27, 2018

A restaurant owner from Mexico provides nourishment to those in need

San Juan Cosala, a small village in Mexico, attracts a lot of North American retirees. About 30 years ago a couple set up a program called Operation Feed to provide nourishment to the poorest families in the area.

May 18, 2018

A human-trafficking hero helps other victims heal

Our Game Changer on “Americas Now” is an activist from Buenos Aires who was forced into prostitution. She currently works at a university organizing events and giving speeches about her experience.

May 18, 2018

Porfi Baloa breaks the mold of Salsa music

In Venezuela a young boy lived through a musical boom. Porfi Baloa grew up to become a Salsa icon and took the genre to a whole new level.

May 18, 2018

Chile creates marine parks to protect its ocean

Before Chilean President Michelle Bachelet left office in 2018, she signed into law protections for several areas of land and ocean.

May 18, 2018

Returning migrants from the U.S. may bring a big boost to Mexico’s tech sector

Part of U.S. President Donald Trumps’ “get-tough” policy is expected to include more deportations of undocumented citizens to their home countries. Mexico is one of the nations that might face the largest number of returnees. Harris Whitbeck reports.

May 18, 2018

An interview with Bolivian President Evo Morales

“Americas Now” anchor Elaine Reyes had the rare opportunity to sit down with Bolivian President Morales. He looks back at the past and answers questions about Bolivia’s future.

May 17, 2018

This Week On Americas Now: Tech-Mex

Mexico could face a large number of returning migrants if they are deported from the U.S.

May 6, 2018

An interview with Peru’s Vice President Mercedes Araoz

The resignation of Peruvian President Kuczynski over graft allegations resulted in political turmoil that turned the country’s government upside down.

May 6, 2018

Inadequate protection of children leads to abuse in Guatemala

A fire exposed a disturbing reality about the Guatemala’s youth. Correspondent Harris Whitbeck tells us more about the country’s kids at risk.

May 6, 2018

A visionary whose company helps change Haitian lives every step of the way

Julie Colombino runs an ethical fashion business training Haitians to make footwear from tires. She is this week’s Game Changer on “Americas Now.”

May 6, 2018

Chocolate brings big benefits to cash-strapped Venezuela

The cocoa products are being sought- after in shops in Europe, Asia and the United States. Venezuela is lauded for its cacao, the basic ingredient used to make chocolate.

May 6, 2018

Mexico de Colores: An all-male dance troupe re-inventing a Mexican tradition

Through his choreography, director Carlos Antunez aims to garner respect for the gay community.

May 3, 2018

This Week on Americas Now: Girls At Risk

A fire ripped through a youth shelter in Guatemala claiming the lives of over 40 teenage girls.

April 29, 2018

A forensics lab in Guatemala puts together the pieces of the past

A civil conflict in Guatemala from 1960 to 1996 left hundreds of thousands dead and tens of thousands missing. Harris Whitbeck visits the anthropologists who are unearthing answers in Guatemala City.

April 29, 2018

Alibaba opens up trade opportunities with Argentina

Last year, Argentina signed a deal with Alibaba to sell a growing range of products to China. Correspondent Joel Richards tells us from Buenos Aires why Argentine wine and food could receive a boost from Alibaba.

April 29, 2018

What’s old becomes new in Mexico when it comes to ballgames

A Mexican coach named Iván Yerena has co-founded a national league to preserve the game. He teaches teenagers what’s known about the rules and how to play it.

April 29, 2018

Jerry Rivera hits all the right notes and sets hearts on fire

We catch up with Jerry Rivera while performing in Washington, D.C. – uniting the Latin community and igniting the passion of his fans.

April 29, 2018

Canto Llano: The songs of the plains that create peace

In Venezuela and Colombia, farmers and ranchers use songs to help herd and milk cattle.

April 22, 2018

Reviewing the legacy of Raul Castro in Cuba

Havana-based Correspondent Michael Voss has been reporting on Raul Castro’s presidency since the beginning and shows us how he shaped Cuba during his terms in office.

April 22, 2018

Hairdresser’s Alley in Cuba alters appearances

It’s called Hairdresser’s Alley. And it was the creation of a hairstylist who had a barbershop on the street. He worked with his neighbors to revitalize the thoroughfare. For our Game Changer meet Gilberto Valladares. Better known as “Papito.”

April 22, 2018

What do Cubans think new leadership will mean for their future?

For 60 years, the Castro’s were the visible faces of the Cuban Revolution. So will Miguel Diaz-Canel govern differently than Raul Castro?

April 22, 2018

A Spanish photographer in the spotlight for capturing Cuban faces

Meet Hector Garrido – one of the most sought-after shooters for the island’s elite – and learn about his project “Illuminated Cuba.”

April 22, 2018

Savoring the sounds of Old Havana, Cuba

Take a look at this visual tour of la Habana Vieja –Old Havana – with its iconic architecture, colors, flavors and most importantly, sounds.

April 15, 2018

Balconies of Lima are a point of pride for Peru

The well-preserved, wooden platforms were built during colonial times and are a signature of Lima.

April 15, 2018

“Informal Economy” is a major part of Peru’s labor market

More than two-thirds of the adult population in Peru work outside the regulated, tax-paying system. Employment experts refer to this as the “informal sector.”

April 15, 2018

A paperless tax system increases Mexico’s revenues by billions of pesos

Electronic record keeping has led to more corporations and citizens filing their income taxes electronically, increasing the country’s annual tax revenues.

April 15, 2018

Former head of Transparency International talks corruption in the Americas

Americas Now anchor Elaine Reyes talked to former Global Chair of Transparency International, Jose Ugaz, at the Summit of the Americas in Peru. They discussed what more needs to be done to combat corruption.

April 15, 2018

A bribery scandal reveals a culture of corruption in Brazil

Several major businesses in the region have been implicated, including Odebrecht, the global construction firm once associated with prosperity and ambitious public projects, now tainted by revelations of corruption.

April 1, 2018

Transforming public spaces with color and light in Mexico

This exhibition makes Mexican streets come alive with an interplay of color, light and space.

April 1, 2018

Latino communities are reinvigorating cities in Spain

Latino artists, designers and small business owners are bringing creative and economic activity back to Barcelona and Valencia. Correspondent Gerry Hadden reports.

April 1, 2018

Identifying bodies of Argentine soldiers from a war 36 years ago

For decades, bodies have laid in a cemetery in the Falkland, or Malvinas, Islands. They were Argentine soldiers who died in the war between Great Britain and Argentina. Correspondent Joel Richards reports from Falklands-Malvinas.

April 1, 2018

Paracho, Mexico is overloaded with orders for the “Coco Guitar”

Take a look at some of these images of the guitar town that helped inspire the film “Coco.”

March 18, 2018

Masks keep identities secret at “fight night” in Mexico

In Mexico City, a 19-year-old student turns into “Tezca” once he puts on his mask and enters the ring. His dream is to become Mexico’s next masked superhero.