Women

Costa Rica: crime, a priority for new president ♦ Argentina: illness of former president fuels political uncertainty ♦ Venezuela: Chávez 24:7 ♦ And you get fined if you do not save electricity ♦ Bolivia identifies plants that

 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

Haiti: relief operations criticised ♦ Women are still dying in Haiti ♦ Dominican Republic praised for emergency help ♦ Venezuela: closure of TV stations causes unrest ♦ Brazil: Real set to get strong again ♦ Chile: water i

There has been real progress in guaranteeing the fuller participation of women in Latin American political life. The lessons of the past generation are a vital resource in ensuring that the process continues in the next, says Kristen Sample.