LIMA, Peru (AP) — Four centuries ago the Count of San Isidro planted nearly 2,000 olive trees from his native Sp ain in a sprawling grove on the edges of Lima, the capital of colonial Peru. Perfectly suited to the arid climate, the olive trees thrived as the city grew around them. Their twisting, knobby … Continue reading
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Violeta Zuniga gets around with a cane because of her knee problems, but nothing can keep the 83-year-old from performing Chile’s national dance to protest her partner’s disappearance during the country’s military dictatorship. The cueca dance is performed by couples during Chile’s national holidays, a source of celebration and pride for … Continue reading
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Nicaragua said Tuesday, Sept. 6, it has given political asylum to former El Salvador President Mauricio Funes, who has come under scrutiny back home for a truce with gangs during his administration and is also facing multiple legal cases. The Nicaraguan government’s official Daily Gazette published a notice announcing that Funes, … Continue reading
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — A former Guantanamo detainee who resettled in Uruguay was briefly hospitalized after becoming weak from a hunger strike and then released on Tuesday,Sept. 6. Syrian native Abu Wa’el Dhiab has repeatedly said he is unhappy in Uruguay and is protesting to demand he be allowed to leave the country, which received … Continue reading
SAO PAULO (AP) — Police in Brazil’s biggest city clashed with protesters who marched to reject the new president Sunday, Sept. 4, five days after Dilma Rousseff was ousted as leader of South America’s biggest nation. Sao Paulo authorities said they were forced to use tear gas, stun grenades and water cannons to stop vandalism … Continue reading
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The permanent ouster of deeply unpopular President Dilma Rousseff by Brazil’s Senate means that a man who is arguably just as unpopular is now faced with trying to ease the wounds of a divided nation mired in recession. Long known as an uncharismatic backroom wheeler-dealer, Michel Temer inherits a shrinking … Continue reading
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Opponents of President Nicolas Maduro promise to flood the streets of Caracas Thursday,Sept. 1, in a major test of their strength and the government’s ability to tolerate growing dissent. The march called the “taking of Caracas” aims to pressure electoral authorities to allow a recall referendum against Maduro this year. The … Continue reading
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The first commercial flight between the United States and Cuba in more than a half century is scheduled to fly from Fort Lauderdale to the central city of Santa Clara on Wednesday morning,Aug. 31, re-establishing regular air service severed at the height of the Cold War. JetBlue Flight 387 was … Continue reading
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president dismissed the chief of the federal police force Monday,Aug. 29, less than two weeks after the country’s human rights commission released a scathing report alleging federal police “executed arbitrarily” at least 22 suspected drug cartel members during a raid on a ranch. Interior Secretary Miguel Angel Osorio Chong said … Continue reading
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Fighting to save her job, suspended Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff told senators on Monday, Aug.29, that the allegations against her have no merit and that history would judge the country if she is removed from office. “I know I will be judged, but my conscience is clear. I did not commit … Continue reading
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — A permanent cease-fire took effect in Colombia on Monday, Aug. 22, a major step in bringing an end to 52 years of bloody combat between the government and the country’s biggest rebel group. The commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia announced Sunday that his fighters would cease hostilities beginning … Continue reading
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Striking informal miners in Bolivia kidnapped and beat to death the country’s deputy interior minister on Thursday, Aug. 25, after he traveled to the area to mediate in the bitter conflict over mining laws, officials said. Government Minister Carlos Romero called it a “cowardly and brutal killing” and asked that … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 