Chile has seen an increase in crime rates in the past few years, likely due to life resuming after quarantine, and citizens are worried for their safety. Homicides rose ⅓ in 2022, and over 50 percent increase in violent robberies. Some are taking initiative and legally buying guns/training themselves in the use of arms for self defense. Despite this, Chile… Read more »
Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-supreme-court-strikes-down-law-put-national-guard-under-army-control-2023-04-18/ Mexico has been considering transferring control of the civilian-run National Guard over the government-controlled Army. However, Mexico’s supreme court ruled the transfer as unconstitutional in an 8-3 ruling. Most civilians reported their opinion on the transfer as siding with the Supreme Court, concerned about the militarization of public security within the country. The president (Andres Manuel… Read more »
News outlet, El Faro, hailed for its independent investigative reporting, has decided to move its base of operations out of El Salvador due to harassment from the government. This decision was made due to growing concerns about the state of democracy and civil liberties inside El Salvador. President Bukele has led a brutal crackdown on gangs over the last year…. Read more »
Recently, gangs have continued to use their infamous slash-and-burn campaign, setting fire to neighborhoods, police stations and even the agricultural center of Haiti; the Arbonite Valley. Kidnapping for ransom is the gangs most popular method of extortion, a record breaking 389 recorded from January through March of this year, a 72% leap in comparison to 2022. These gangs are not… Read more »
Link to Article Summary: This September will mark the 50 year anniversary of the CIA-backed coup that led to Augusto Pinochet, a ruthless despot, to assume power in Chile. Over 40,000 were tortured during his reign and over 3,000 were killed, with over 1,100 still declared missing after they were forcibly disappeared. Chilean President Gabriel Boric plans to launch the… Read more »
Link to Article Summary: President Lula of Brazil on his foreign policy trip to China mostly discussing trade and currency (BRICS) has turned to him attempting to court China to create a group of countries to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine. Lula has recently made comments supporting Ukraine regaining all of its territory, besides Crimea which Russia… Read more »
Link to Article Summary: Mexico’s Supreme Court declared a bill to transfer power of Mexico’s National Guard from civilian control to military control unconstitutional. The National Guard came to fruition in 2019 after constitutional reform disbanded the federal police. Critics criticized how the constitution enshrined the National Guard as a civilian body and also fear Lopez Obrador, Mexico’s President, has… Read more »
Political messaging fills the streets, local broadcasts and social media as of last month due to the up-and-coming General Election in Guatemala, but rising concerns about the integrity of the vote on June 25 have been on the rise for the past three months. There are 30 political parties with more than 22,000 candidates registered to run for presidency, congress,… Read more »