MiamiHerald.com: Americas Wires

Honduran gangs to announce truce to cut violence

Fri, 24 May 2013 18:04 EDT

Honduras' two largest and most-violent gangs will sign a truce next week and ask for a dialogue with the government and police to help them start leaving their gang lifestyle, a Roman Catholic bishop said Friday.

Puerto Rico approves anti-discrimination bill

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:39 EDT

Legislators in Puerto Rico on Friday approved a heavily debated bill that outlaws employment discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.

Mexico: far fewer people disappeared than feared

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:24 EDT

Mexico's top security official said Friday that far fewer people disappeared during Mexico's drug war than were feared when the government released a list of about 26,000 cases.

Venezuela to create new workers militia

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:04 EDT

Venezuela's president has ordered the creation of a new workers' militia to defend the country's "Bolivarian revolution" at a time when the government faces economic problems and political turmoil.

Ex-Guatemala president extradited to US

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:04 EDT

Former Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo was extradited on Friday to the United States to face charges of laundering $70 million in Guatemalan funds through U.S. bank accounts.

Chile's Indians take on world's largest gold miner

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:14 EDT

The Diaguita Indians live in the foothills of the Andes, just downstream from the world's highest gold mine, where for as long as anyone can remember they've drunk straight from the glacier-fed river that irrigates their orchards and vineyards with its clear water.

Cuba silent on Canadian's corruption trial

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:54 EDT

Official silence surrounded the case of a Canadian businessman targeted by a corruption probe in Cuba on Friday, as the initial trial of several foreigners suspected of graft entered its second day.

Third term begins for Ecuador's President Correa

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:49 EDT

Ecuador's Rafael Correa began his third term as president on Friday under seemingly ideal conditions: extremely high popularity, a more than two-thirds majority in Congress, a stable economy and a badly splintered opposition.

Brazil police arrest 9 for abusing Indian girls

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:04 EDT

Brazil's Federal Police say nine people have been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing Indians girls in the northern state of Amazonas.

Turks and Caicos recovers cash, land amid probe

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:54 EDT

Officials in the Turks and Caicos Islands have recovered $19.5 million and more than 2,500 acres (1,000 hectares) of real estate as they continue to seize assets improperly obtained by corrupt politicians.

Cayman opposition will lead coalition gov't

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:14 EDT

Election officials in the Cayman Islands say the opposition party has won nine of 18 seats, one short of a majority needed to control the British territory's legislature.

Massive fuel-depot fire breaks out in Brazil

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:24 EDT

A massive fire broke out Thursday at a fuel depot on the northern outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, sending bright orange flames leaping high into the air and thick black smoking rolling upward and enveloping the area.

Canada businessman's corruption trial on in Cuba

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:09 EDT

A Canadian businessman caught up in a corruption probe in Cuba apparently went on trial Thursday, nearly two years after he was detained and his import company, Tri-Star Caribbean, was shuttered.

Globovision owners hint at toned-down news stance

Thu, 23 May 2013 00:04 EDT

The new owners of Venezuela's only television channel to take critical stands against the government say they will, in their words, "contribute to a climate of peace and not of conflict."

Boxes of cash seized in Mexico corruption probe

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:24 EDT

Mexican authorities on Wednesday seized five boxes filled with cash as part of an investigation into alleged embezzlement by a former governor of southern Tabasco state, in what could become the latest test for President Enrique Pena Nieto to act against corruption.

Canada sets new aid for Peru linked to mining

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:49 EDT

Canada's prime minister has announced a new package of development aid for Peru that environmentalists are viewing warily because it is closely tied to Canadian mining investments in the South American country.

Argentine leader raises cash handouts 35 percent

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:34 EDT

Argentina's president announced a $3.2 billion annual increase in cash handouts for the poor, students and pregnant women Wednesday, saying the programs will reach nearly 700,000 additional children, pay their families 35 percent more and encourage consumer spending in what is an election year.

Puerto Rico legislator targets parents of dropouts

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:29 EDT

A legislator in Puerto Rico has submitted a bill that would increase fines and jail time for parents whose children skip classes or drop out of school.

Puerto Rico's Culebra awaits new hospital, school

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:04 EDT

Puerto Rico's tiny island of Culebra has been forever dependent on the U.S. territory for food, jobs and health care, but the territory's governor is cutting some of those strings.

Little done in Brazil to improve safety after fire

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:04 EDT

Little has been done to improve the safety of public gathering places since a nightclub fire killed 242 people earlier this year in southern Brazil, relatives of the victims said Wednesday.