Countries

 Costa Rica elects first woman president ♦ Venezuela: Chávez expropriates landmark buildings ♦ Argentina: former President has emergency heart operation ♦ Brazil: interest rates set to go up ♦ Colombia: forest fires threaten nat

The US has a long history of political meddling in Haiti and many other Latin American countries. Mark Weisbrot reports.

Rafael Correa is in trouble with those who put him in power. Roger Burbach explains the reasons

Alberto Fujimori  lost his appeal. Jo-Marie Burt and Coletta Youngers argue that it is time he pays for his crimes.

Haiti: missionaries charged with kidnapping ♦ Paraguay faces energy crisis ♦ Solution for energy crisis? Have longer weekends ♦ Argentina: new head of central bank promises to work with government ♦ China "not interested" in env

Argentina: President rejects accusations of corruption ♦ Colombia: HRW warns of re-emergence of right-wing paramilitaries ♦ Bolivia: children abused in shelters ♦ Chileans confident in economy ♦ El Niño has arrived

Despite his background as a militant trade unionist, Lula has strongly promoted 'big business'. Sue Branford explains.

Mexico: Students murdered “by mistake” ♦ Haiti: Judge to decide on fate of US missionaries ♦ Colombia: bodies from the 1985 Justice Palace attack found ♦ Two Latin American films nominated for Oscars ♦ Arge

Venezuela: opposition press rallies against Chávez ♦ Haiti: primer minister criticises charity workers ♦ Brazil: film about Lula, a “flop” ♦ Argentina: former President “benefited” of privileged information &di

Mexico: Mass murder in Ciudad Juárez ♦ Haiti: Charity may have tried to save “orphans” whose parents are alive ♦ Peru: Thousands lose their homes because of rain and landslides ♦ Argentina: Author of Santa Evita dies &diam