The changing face of immigration

In this four-part series, The Miami Herald explores the impact of a changing immigration landscape on illegal immigrants, their families and their communities, from South Florida to Latin America and the Caribbean

Haiti children face malnutrition crisis

Read all of The Miami Herald's Staff coverage of the malnutrition crisis faced by Haitian children

Full coverage of Americas Conference

The Miami Herald's coverage of the 2008 Americas Conference, which drew hundreds of participants from the hemisphere.

Vodou shrub is alternative fuel

For generations, Vodou practitioners in rural Haiti have sworn by the mystic qualities of Jatropha, an indigenous plant believed to purge evil spirits and release the trapped souls of the dead. But the shrub may soon be in bigger demand as a source of biofuel

Paquita la del Barrio sings of the wrongs that men do

The titles of her songs speak volumes: Wicked Men, Low Blow, Pure Pain and Hypocrite. Then there's her mega hit: Two-Legged Rat. Rife with tales of abusive husbands, impotent lovers and cheating boyfriends, these lyrics have made Francisca Viveros Barradas -- better known as Paquita la del Barrio -- much more than an artist. She has become a sociological phenomenon.

CHAVEZ'S GRAND CRUSADE | PART 1 OF 4

Latin America's Money Man

With oil enriching Venezuela's coffers, President Hugo Chávez is lavishing billions on other countries, boosting his socialist-tinged image

POISONED LIVES

Pollution sickens children in Dominican Republic

The illegal battery smelter so contaminated children here that some of them have been found with what are supposed to be fatal levels of lead in their blood. But they are alive -- many of them with eye problems, seizures, severe learning deficiencies and blank stares like Johan's.

FOOD CRISIS

Crop fields hold hope in Haiti

In the wake of rising food prices, Haiti turns to agriculture production that experts say requires resources and political will to succeed.

More Miami Herald coverage

Click on the SPECIAL REPORTS tab on the green MULTIMEDIA line to see more in-depth reports by The Miami Herald

More Miami Herald Cuba coverage

More Miami Herald Cuba coverage

More Miami Herald coverage of Haiti and the Caribbean

More Miami Herald coverage of Haiti and the Caribbean