Full Frame: Town of Letters

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 18, 2020

Cuba warns citizens of cooking gas shortage stemming from U.S. sanctions

The Cuban government has issued a warning to citizens. The country is experiencing a shortage of cooking gas — the result of U.S. sanctions.

February 7, 2020

Environmentalists and activists work to boast bee population in Mexico

Environmentalists and activists are working to boost bee numbers in Mexico.

February 5, 2020

Colombia expands visa regulations for Venezuelan migrants

There were approximately 4.6 million Venezuelans living outside of their country and that number is growing rapidly. Neighboring countries are receiving an influx of refugees but Colombia is leading the way with efforts to regulate their status.

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 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.

January 8, 2020

Rio’s hidden man-made beach

When people think about Rio de Janeiro, what comes to mind are its beautiful famous postcard beaches. But hidden away, almost like an oasis among Rio’s slum favelas, is one beach not even most Brazilians know about.

January 1, 2020

Rio’s New Year Celebrations draws almost 3 million to Copacabana Beach

Rio de Janeiro’s New Year Celebration is only the city’s second biggest party after Carnival.And this year’s $2.5 million bash rang in 2020 with the usual revelry superstition and religious traditions.

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 25, 2019

New law in Bolivia paves way for new elections without Evo Morales

After a turbulent month, a degree of normality has returned to the streets of La Paz.

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

Havana celebrates 500 years since its founding

Cuba’s capital is celebrating 500-years since its founding.

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 8, 2019

Group works to stop children soldiers in Colombia

In Colombia, recruiting minors into illegal armed groups has reportedly risen since the peace agreement with FARC rebels. Now, one Colombian foundation is helping children from conflict ridden regions rebuild their lives.

November 7, 2019

The history of tea and how it travelled from China to Brazil

Tea is a popular drink worldwide, though it took thousands of years for the beverage to make its way from China to the West.

November 6, 2019

Brazil to tout success of its breast milk bank network at BRICS Summit

The 2019 slogan: “Donate breast-milk, nourish Life”.

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.

November 2, 2019

Day of the Dead culture alive and well

November 2 is Day of the Dead in Mexico, and hundreds of thousands of people are spending the day in cemeteries. Mexicans take food and drinks and pass the time with their dearly departed.

November 2, 2019

Mexicans greet their dead during day two of national ceremonies

On Day of the Dead, Mexicans believe their dead loved ones return on Nov 1 and 2 to spend some time with the living.

October 28, 2019

Failing farms in Mexico find new life in winemaking

As Mexico’s wine culture grows, it’s providing economic stability to a region positioning itself as North America’s next big wine country.

Second round of Uruguay’s presidential election to be held on Nov. 24, 2019

October 28, 2019

Second round of Uruguay’s presidential election to be held in November

Uruguay is heading to the second round of presidential elections in November. That’s after no candidate reached a 50% plus 1 majority in Sunday’s vote. It was one of the tightest races since the center-left Broad Party came into power more than a decade ago.

October 28, 2019

Alberto Fernandez wins presidential election in Argentina

Alberto Fernandez will be the next president of Argentina and former President Cristina Fernandez vice president. Fernandez will face soaring inflation and a currency crisis when he takes office in December.

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.