South America

People marching in street with a Panamanian flag

Copper mine protests roil in Panama

The government approved a new contract with the mine late last week. Since then, protests have rippled across Panama, and people are afraid they could bring the country to a standstill.

Copper mine protests roil in Panama
man at piano

Artist Daniel Jobim honors the musical legacy of his grandfather, a bossa nova pioneer

Artist Daniel Jobim honors the musical legacy of his grandfather, a bossa nova pioneer
prison getting raided

What is behind the seizure of Venezuela's most-notorious prison?

What is behind the seizure of Venezuela's most-notorious prison?
Aerial view of the village of Mutucal, Mãe Grande Curuçá Extractive Reserve.

Rural communities in the Amazon face a complex world of carbon credits

Rural communities in the Amazon face a complex world of carbon credits
people in line with signs

Victims of Guatemalan military seek justice for war crimes 

Victims of Guatemalan military seek justice for war crimes 
People demand the release of students who had taken refuge at the Jesus of Divine Mercy church amid a barrage of armed attacks, during a protest near the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, UNAN, in Managua, Nicaragua, Saturday, July 14, 2018.

Nicaragua seizes Jesuit university in latest clash between president and Catholic Church

In Nicaragua, last week, a judge ordered the seizure of the country’s most-important Jesuit university, the 63-year-old Central American University. It’s the latest in an ongoing government crackdown on the Catholic Church and church-affiliated institutions inside Nicaragua.

Nicaragua seizes Jesuit university in latest clash between president and Catholic Church
sidewalk

Colombian activists try to shame city government into fixing broken sidewalks — by painting them pink

In Colombia's capital city Bogotá, pedestrians need to watch out for loose slabs of pavement they can trip over, or wobbly tiles that get their feet wet or splash dirty water on their pants. But some activists have started trying to shame the city into making repairs more quickly by covering the broken spots with pink paint and black Xs. 

Colombian activists try to shame city government into fixing broken sidewalks — by painting them pink
exhibit

Argentines document European ancestry to migrate to the EU

Millions of Europeans, especially from Italy and Spain, migrated to Argentina between the 19th and 20th centuries. Their descendants are now reclaiming their rights to return to Europe. 

Argentines document European ancestry to migrate to the EU
fishermen with dead sharks

The illegal trade of shark fin is thriving in South America

Peru is the world's largest exporter of shark fins, according to the marine protection organization Oceana. The catches are usually sent to Asia, where shark fin soup is a delicacy that can cost about $200 a bowl. This lucrative trade is threatening species of sharks off the coasts of Peru and neighboring Ecuador.

The illegal trade of shark fin is thriving in South America
protest

Colombia starts ceasefire with nation's oldest rebel group 

A six-month ceasefire between the Colombian government and the rebel group known as the National Liberation Army began this month. Support for the truce, and ongoing peace talks, could depend on whether the group ceases attacks on civilians that include kidnappings and extortion. 

Colombia starts ceasefire with nation's oldest rebel group 
Urchin perch on live coral (left) with fossil coral, the foundation of the live reef, in the foreground, live reef in the background.

Galapagos discovery offers clues to climate impact on deep-sea corals

Scientists say research into newly found reefs could lead to important conservation efforts

Galapagos discovery offers clues to climate impact on deep-sea corals
a man standing in front of a colorful bottle cap mural

Venezuelan artist uses recycled bottle caps to create large eco-murals

Oscar Olivares plans to take his ecological art global in hopes of promoting sustainable practices and educating communities on how to recycle.

Venezuelan artist uses recycled bottle caps to create large eco-murals
Argentine trap artists Keke (right) and Sosa (left).

‘It’s the new soccer, where stars are born’: Trap music boom inspires Argentine youth

The latest installment of The World's "Planet Hip Hop" series takes us to Argentina, where trap music has a huge following. From their bedrooms, aspiring artists remix their favorite trap songs and record music of their own.

‘It’s the new soccer, where stars are born’: Trap music boom inspires Argentine youth
people lined up

Colombian searchers reveal new details on the rescue of four children who survived plane crash in the Amazon 

Colombia’s president awarded medals to members of the search party that found the four Indigenous children in one of the world’s toughest terrains.

Colombian searchers reveal new details on the rescue of four children who survived plane crash in the Amazon 
yearbook photo

This Brazilian immigrant to the US says the American dream still exists

Brazilian immigrant Jose Jube told The World about finding opportunities in the US.

This Brazilian immigrant to the US says the American dream still exists