Michael Fox

Michael Fox is an independent multimedia journalist based in Brazil and a former editor of the NACLA Report on the Americas. 

Wind generators near the Indigenous town of Juchitán de Zaragoza in Mexico.

Mexico’s Interoceanic Corridor aims to rival the Panama Canal

​​​​​​​Mexico is hard at work on a huge development project that the country’s president hopes will rival the Panama Canal. It won’t be another waterway, but when it’s finished, the Interoceanic Corridor will connect ports on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mexico in numerous ways. President Andres Manuel López Obrador is looking to the US for support on the project. But Indigenous communities are fighting the decision. 

Mexico’s Interoceanic Corridor aims to rival the Panama Canal
a young man in a mask

Three years into the pandemic, mask usage varies from country to country

Three years into the pandemic, mask usage varies from country to country
The salt-makers in Mexico are preserving an ancestral tradition of artisanal salt that goes back 2,000 years.

The last of Mexico’s artisanal salt-makers preserve a 2,000-year-old tradition

The last of Mexico’s artisanal salt-makers preserve a 2,000-year-old tradition
Boats carrying mining supplies move along the Uraricoera River in Alto Alegre, Roraima state, Brazil, as some miners leave Yanomami Indigenous territory ahead of expected operations against illegal mining, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. 

Lula declares humanitarian crisis for Brazil's Yanomami territory, cracks down on illegal mining

Lula declares humanitarian crisis for Brazil's Yanomami territory, cracks down on illegal mining
Felled trees on Karipuna territory in the Amazonian state of Rondônia.

Lula empowers Brazil's Indigenous peoples with their own ministry. But environmental protection remains a key concern.

Lula empowers Brazil's Indigenous peoples with their own ministry. But environmental protection remains a key concern.
The Belo Monte dam.

Lula vows to end illegal mining in the Amazon. But legal mining is more complicated.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva made a promise to roll back illegal mining in the Amazon. But he has a more complicated relationship with legal mining. Indigenous activists continue to battle over a new gold mine project managed by a Canadian firm.

Lula vows to end illegal mining in the Amazon. But legal mining is more complicated.
cows

Lula promises sustainable development for the Amazon

Brazil’s new President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has promised to promote sustainable development for the Amazon — stopping deforestation while keeping agribusiness thriving. This is not an easy task.

Lula promises sustainable development for the Amazon
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, center, President of the Supreme Court Rosa Weber, center right, are accompanied by governors and ministers for an inspection visit and support for the Supreme Court headquarters.

Brazilians rally behind Lula after violent rampage in Brasília 

The attack on Brazil's capital on Sunday rattled the entire country. But as the dust settles, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has consolidated even more support as political leaders denounce the attack in a rare moment of unity.

Brazilians rally behind Lula after violent rampage in Brasília 
The beach at the popular tourist resort of Puerto Peñasco in the state of Sonora, Mexico, September 2018.

Mexico’s clean energy plan could run into trouble at leaders’ summit

The North American leaders will be discussing immigration and the recapture of the son of drug cartel kingpin “El Chapo.” But also high on the agenda: a dispute over energy.

Mexico’s clean energy plan could run into trouble at leaders’ summit
man waving

'Brazil is back': Lula promises to once again lift Brazil onto the international scene 

With Donald Trump's 2020 loss, Brazil became more isolated than ever. But the president-elect, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, says he wants to change that.

'Brazil is back': Lula promises to once again lift Brazil onto the international scene 
players on field

World-renowned soccer great ​​Pelé dies at 82

​​​​​​​Pelé won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century.

World-renowned soccer great ​​Pelé dies at 82
soccer jersey for sale

Brazil’s yellow-and-green soccer jersey stirs up controversy

The Brazilian soccer team's jersey colors have been co-opted by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. But some people say that the reelection of former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in late October could change that.

Brazil’s yellow-and-green soccer jersey stirs up controversy
Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, speaks at the COP27 UN Climate Summit, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. 

At COP27, Lula promises to resume Brazil’s ‘leading role’ as a climate defender

Brazil's President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is taking his concerns for the environment to the international stage. As a special guest at COP27 this week in Egypt, he said he’s going to tackle deforestation.

At COP27, Lula promises to resume Brazil’s ‘leading role’ as a climate defender
Downtown Oaxaca city in southern Mexico. 

Oaxaca trash dump closure wreaks environmental havoc

The closure of Oaxaca’s trash dump in October is wreaking havoc on the environment. As world leaders gather for the COP27 climate conference, Oaxaca’s trash problems indicate just how complicated climate protection can be at the local level.

Oaxaca trash dump closure wreaks environmental havoc
crowd with flags

'We want democracy': Lula's supporters celebrate his victory over Bolsonaro for the presidency in Brazil

Brazil has a new president-elect. Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva beat out incumbent Jair Bolsonaro for the presidency in one of the most highly contentious races in the country’s history. 

'We want democracy': Lula's supporters celebrate his victory over Bolsonaro for the presidency in Brazil