Latin America News Dispatch
‘The Fight Belongs to Everyone:’ Former Domestic Workers in Mexico See Themselves in Alfonso Cuarón’s ROMA
“So many domestic workers could be Cleo,” said Marcelina Bautista in the offices of Mexico’s first union for domestic workers, Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras del Hogar (SINACTRAHO).
Medical Results From Cuban Sonic Attacks Reveal Inner-Ear Damage
The incident led to the close of the U.S. embassy in Havana.
Brazil to Opt Out of UN Migration Accord
Ten other countries also declined to sign the U.N. accord.
Peruvians Vote in Favor of Anti-Corruption Policies
The vote doesn’t change everything necessarily, “but it is the beginning of a change that we are looking for in Peru,” said President Martín Vizcarra.
Odebrecht Peru Signs Deal With Government to Continue Operations
Peruvian prosecutors are slated to resume the questioning of Odebrecht executives in January.
Cubans Gain 3G Mobile Access
The move aligns with President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s goal of expanding connectivity throughout the island
Mexico City’s New Mayor Disbands Riot Police
Claudia Sheinbaum was sworn into office yesterday.
Argentina Increases Police Gun-Firing Liberties
Minister of Security Patricia Bullrich defended the decree and said that if protocols of firearm use aligned with “clear and transparent regulations, we will have an orderly society that is clear about where the good is and where the evil is.”
Mexico’s President Promises Communication, Creates Ayotzinapa Truth Commission
As of now, Andrés Manuel López Obrador has promised to deliver daily press conferences.
Mexico Inaugurates New President
After taking an oath to office, Andrés López Obrador spent the weekend speaking to Congress and making public appearances at the inaugural celebration, a dinner with foreign officials, and a spiritual cleansing ceremony where he vowed to “purify public life in Mexico.”
After Heavily Questioned Trial, 7 of 8 Convicted of Berta Cáceres Murder
Cáceres was shot dead in March 2016, after leading a campaign to fight the internationally financed Agua Zarca hydroelectric dam, which was being built on a river sacred to the Lenca people.
Colleagues of Slain Mexican Journalist Investigating Cartels Targeted by Government-Linked Spyware
he spyware, known as Pegasus, infiltrates individuals’ electronics and is able to freely gather information without detection.
US Finds Migrant Teens Put at Risk in Texas Camp
The Tornillo camp “is using checks conducted by a private contractor that has access to less comprehensive data, thereby heightening the risk that an individual with a criminal history could have direct access to children.”
Mexicans Approve 10 of AMLO’s Proposals, Including ‘Maya Train’
Only 1 in 90 registered voters participated, leading critics to question the results.
Anti-Government Protests in Haiti Scale Up
Schools and government offices remain shut down amid allegations of corruption involving the previous government and Petrocaribe, an oil alliance between many Caribbean nations and Venezuela.
Killing of Young Mapuche Man Pressures Governor in Chile to Resign
Luis Mayol, a conservative and member of President Sebastian Piñera’s governing coalition, had initially defended the operation that left 24-year-old Camilo Catrillanca dead and six other Mapuches injured.
Witness at ‘El Chapo’ Trial Says Drug Cartel Paid Bribes to Mexican Officials
Guzman’s trial has rested for the week and will continue Monday.
About 4,000 People Evacuate Due to Volcano Activity
A column of ash reached almost 23,000 feet (7,000 meters) above sea level and wafted towards Guatemala City.
Migrant Caravan Finds Local Resistance in Tijuana
Disgruntled locals chanted “Out! Out!” and defensively sang Mexico’s national anthem, a sharp contrast to other Mexicans who have helped the caravan migrants on their arduous and long journey in the past few weeks.
Argentina’s Senate Passes Widely Protested Austerity Budget
Given the government’s estimate of 23 percent inflation next year, the social spending reductions may reach as high as 35 percent.
Death of Key Witness in Colombia Odebrecht Scandal Investigated for Poisoning
The construction company Odebrecht is at the center of a massive corruption scandal spanning Latin America and has admitted to paying bribes in 12 countries.