HAVANA (AP) — A nine-story portrait of a young Fidel Castro has joined the towering images of fallen guerrillas overlooking Havana’s Plaza of the Revolution, the massive square where Cuba on Monday,Nov. 28, begins bidding farewell to the man who ruled the island for nearly half a century. After 10 years of leadership by Castro’s … Continue reading
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s repeatedly derailed presidential election finally went off relatively smoothly Sunday, Nov. 20, as the troubled nation tries to get its shaky democracy on a firmer foundation after nearly a year of being led by a provisional government. Polls closed late in the afternoon, and election workers set to work on … Continue reading
LIMA, Peru (AP) — An expected U.S. economic retreat from Latin America under Donald Trump is causing the region’s leaders to look halfway around the world, to China, for help weathering the possible financial headwinds. They’ll have the perfect opportunity to make their appeal this week when Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a Pacific Rim … Continue reading
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Voters will have their say Sunday, Nov. 20, in a repeatedly derailed presidential election that leaders hope will get Haiti’s shaky democracy on a sturdier track. The Caribbean nation’s roughly 6 million registered voters don’t lack for choice: 27 presidential candidates are on the ballot. The top two finishers will meet … Continue reading
TANQUIAN DE ESCOBEDO, Mexico (AP) — When Juan Carlos Soni Bulos heard his front door being smashed in one November morning, he frantically scrolled through his phone to call for help. Outside the human rights activist’s bedroom window, a Mexican marine in a black mask and helmet trained a rifle on him. “Drop the phone … Continue reading
HAVANA (AP) — Colombia tried a second time to achieve peace, with its government and largest rebel group signing a revised deal to end its brutal conflict following the surprise rejection of an earlier peace accord by voters in a referendum. Government negotiator Humberto de la Calle and rebel negotiator Ivan Marquez announced the new, … Continue reading
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hours after the United States elected Donald Trump to be its next president, Mexico began carefully laying the groundwork for a relationship with a new leader who campaigned against its citizens and threatened to wreak havoc with its economy. President Enrique Pena Nieto sent a series of messages from his official … Continue reading
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — President Daniel Ortega overwhelmingly won re-election to a third consecutive term in official results announced Monday,Nov. 7, putting him in position to govern for a quarter-century and cement family control over the country with his wife now officially vice president. With nearly all votes counted, the ticket of the former guerrilla … Continue reading
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Lissette died under the care of the Chilean state, suffocating in her own vomit while a caretaker allegedly sat on her back while trying to contain the 11-year-old during what was described as “a crisis of aggressiveness.” Her mother had sent her to a government shelter hoping authorities could protect her … Continue reading
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Hundreds of Brazilians dressed as zombies dragged their rotting limbs on Wednesday, Nov. 2, while groaning and playfully lurching at tourists along Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach. The “Zombie Walk” was among several planned in Brazil on All Souls Day, also known as Day of the Dead. The day is … Continue reading
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Deforestation caused by the expansion of Mexican avocado orchards is much higher than previously thought, authorities said Monday,Oct. 31 . Talia Coria, an official in the attorney general’s office for environmental protection, said almost 50,000 acres (20,000 hectares) of forest land are converted to agricultural uses each year in the western … Continue reading
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hollywood movies, zombie shows, Halloween and even politics are fast changing Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations, which traditionally consisted of quiet family gatherings at the graves of their departed loved ones. Mexico’s capital is holding its first Day of the Dead parade, complete with floats, giant skeleton marionettes and more … Continue reading
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Wanda Serrano arrived at Puerto Rico’s largest public hospital before dawn to take her 17-year-old son to an appointment. Six hours later, they were still in the packed waiting room hoping to see a doctor. They had gone to San Juan’s Centro Medico to see one of the many … Continue reading
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s electoral authority suspended a recall drive against President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday, Oct. 20, less than a week before it was set to start, throwing the opposition’s key campaign to oust the socialist leader into disarray. Officials cited alleged fraud in a preliminary signature-gathering effort as justification for blocking the … Continue reading
DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Francisco Marquez says he constantly heard screams from prisoners being beaten in neighboring cells. He once saw a dozen inmates handcuffed, forced to run naked for hours under the hot sun as punishment for a failed escape attempt. The 30-year-old dual U.S. citizen spoke of his four-month incarceration in his … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 