Michael Fox

Michael Fox is a Latin America-based audio producer and media maker.

Rising poverty, unemployment, and inflation have plagued Costa Rica. Every few blocks, a person is passed out or sleeping on the street.

‘This is not a peaceful country’: Violence and poverty soar in Costa Rica

Costa Rica sells its image as a “green paradise,” with ample nature reserves and no standing military. But many say this reputation is more myth than reality as violence, poverty and unemployment is on the rise.

‘This is not a peaceful country’: Violence and poverty soar in Costa Rica
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

Nicaragua seizes Jesuit university in latest clash between president and Catholic Church
A tree in Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve.

Climate change is rapidly shifting Costa Rica’s sensitive ecosystems

Climate change is rapidly shifting Costa Rica’s sensitive ecosystems
close-up shot of Honduran President Castro wearing a mask

Honduras' first female leader faces tough times

Honduras' first female leader faces tough times
Low water levels are seen at the Paso Severino dam, which supplies water to the city of Montevideo and adjacent metropolitan areas, Uruguay, May 15, 2023.

Uruguayans protest over government attempts to supplement public drinking water from salty reservoirs amid historic drought

Uruguayans protest over government attempts to supplement public drinking water from salty reservoirs amid historic drought
land

Brazilian Congress moves to limit Indigenous land claims 

​​​​​​​A bill making its way through the Legislature in Brazil could limit Indigenous land claims in the country, and potentially call into question large swaths of land already demarcated for Indian reservations.

Brazilian Congress moves to limit Indigenous land claims 
Leonardo de Carvalho Leal and Mayara Stelle administer the Twitter account Sleeping Giants Brazil, a platform for activism whose stated mission is to attack the financing of hate speech and dissemination of fake news, Dec. 11, 2020.

Will Brazil’s ‘Fake News Bill’ regulate disinformation or stifle free speech?

Brazil ranks third in the world for the most social media usage, following India and Indonesia. Now, a controversial, 3-year-old bill is weaving its way through Congress. It could regulate social media platforms in the same way as TV and radio. The “Fake News Bill” has staunch supporters, but some also accuse it of being a form of censorship.

Will Brazil’s ‘Fake News Bill’ regulate disinformation or stifle free speech?
volcano

El Fuego volcano erupts in Guatemala

​​​​​​​The El Fuego volcano in Guatemala spewed lava and ash over part of the country last week. Thousands evacuated the area, and many more were exposed to dangerous ash. 

El Fuego volcano erupts in Guatemala
On May 1, two large marches weaved across San Salvador in commemoration of International Workers Day. 

El Salvador president's popularity soars with controversial approach to crime

President Nayib Bukele has enjoyed a sky-high approval rating of 91% for his crackdown on crime. But thousands of families say their sons and husbands have been unjustly imprisoned under his recent suspension of civil liberties.

El Salvador president's popularity soars with controversial approach to crime
Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva and Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa during welcome ceremonies outside the 16th century Jeronimos monastery in Lisbon, Saturday, April 22, 2023. 

Portugal’s president says country should apologize, 'assume responsibility' for slave trade

This week, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said Portugal should formally apologize for its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The Portuguese were responsible for selling nearly 6 million people into slavery — mostly in Brazil. Some activists and scholars say an apology is just a start and there's still a long way to go.

Portugal’s president says country should apologize, 'assume responsibility' for slave trade
People sit along Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, El Salvador.

El Salvador's bitcoin experiment rides on choppy seas as currency fluctuates

The bitcoin cryptocurrency has seen its ups and downs lately, gaining and losing 10% of its value in just the past week. Nowhere is this volatility felt more intensely than in El Salvador, which became the first country in the world to adopt bitcoin as legal tender in 2021.

El Salvador's bitcoin experiment rides on choppy seas as currency fluctuates
Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro waves to supporters at the Liberal Party's headquarters in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, March 30, 2023. 

The future of Bolsonaro in Brazil remains uncertain

Former President Jair Bolsonaro is back in Brazil after a three-month hiatus in Florida. Allies say he’s ready to fight the new government. But Bolsonaro faces a string of lawsuits that are working against him.

The future of Bolsonaro in Brazil remains uncertain
A photo showing the back side of a group of people walking in the heat on a desolate road

'It's really hard here': Migrants heading north from Latin America face barriers at the US-Mexico border

Migrants from as far south as Chile are walking north to the United States, hoping for a better life. But before they make it to that border, they must make it across Mexico's southern border.

'It's really hard here': Migrants heading north from Latin America face barriers at the US-Mexico border
A decorated street carpet known as an alfombra created for Holy Week in Antigua, Guatemala.

Guatemalans commemorate Holy Week with colorful street carpets

During Holy Week in Guatemala, many people participate in the tradition of creating elaborate alfombra, or colorful flower carpets made out of sawdust on the streets for processions to pass over.

Guatemalans commemorate Holy Week with colorful street carpets
people outside building

Impeachment trial begins against Ecuador's President Lasso

​​​​​​​Ecuador’s National Assembly is debating the future of President Guillermo Lasso. If it votes to remove Lasso, it would be the first impeachment of an Ecuadorian president since the country’s return to democracy in 1979.

Impeachment trial begins against Ecuador's President Lasso