Michael Fox
Michael Fox is a Latin America-based audio producer and media maker.
‘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.
Nicaragua seizes Jesuit university in latest clash between president and Catholic Church
Climate change is rapidly shifting Costa Rica’s sensitive ecosystems
Honduras' first female leader faces tough times
Uruguayans protest over government attempts to supplement public drinking water from salty reservoirs amid historic drought
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.