Category: Americas

Gold Mine Fire in Peru Kills 27

LIMA—A fire in a small gold mine in southern Peru has left 27 people dead, authorities said on Sunday, in the country’s single deadliest mining accident in more than two decades. In a statement, the local government said a short-circuit sparked the fire in the early morning hours of Saturday in the southern region of…


Colombia Cancels Flights Returning Migrants From US, Cites Mistreatment

BOGOTA/WASHINGTON—Colombia’s migration agency has temporarily suspended a program to return Colombian nationals found by immigration officers at the U.S. border with Mexico, it said on Thursday, citing cruel and degrading treatment and last-minute flight cancellations. The number of Colombians trying to migrate north to the United States has soared in recent years, with more than…


Flights Returning Colombian Migrants From US Border to Restart From Next Week

BOGOTA—Flights returning Colombians found by immigration officers at the U.S. border with Mexico to their home country will resume beginning next week, Colombia’s migration agency said on Friday. The agency said this week it had temporarily suspended the program, citing cruel and degrading treatment and last-minute flight cancellations. The number of Colombians trying to migrate…


Billionaire Buys Epstein Islands, Reveals Future Plans

A billionaire has purchased the islands owned by sex offender and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Stephen Deckoff, the billionaire investor, made the purchase of Great St. James and Little St. James through his firm SD Investments LLC, the company said in a statement. Deckoff, a resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands since 2011, plans…


China’s Growing Military Influence in Latin America Sparks Concern in US

As Washington keeps a wary eye on China’s recent military activities around Taiwan, another security threat is gathering strength closer to U.S. borders. During a March 8 House Armed Services Committee hearing, two senior U.S. military commanders expressed grave concern over China’s increasing military and technology presence in Latin America. U.S. Southern Command Army Gen….


Bolsonaro’s Home Raided and Aides Arrested in Brazil Vaccine Probe

BRASILIA—Brazilian police on Wednesday raided former President Jair Bolsonaro’s home, arrested his trusted aides, and seized his cell phone as part of a probe into his COVID-19 vaccination records. The investigation may answer questions about how Bolsonaro, who vowed never to get a COVID-19 vaccine, was registered as vaccinated in health records made public in…


IN-DEPTH: Paraguay’s Conservative Election Win Snarls China’s Bid for Regional Dominance

Conservative presidential candidate Santiago Pena won a major victory in Paraguay on April 30, strengthening the hold of the Colorado Party as a new wave of leftist leadership has emerged in the region over the past two years. Beyond Paraguay’s borders, the geopolitical implications of the election win are significant. This is especially true for…


Paraguay’s Conservative Election Win Snarls China’s Bid for Regional Dominance

Conservative presidential candidate Santiago Pena won a major victory in Paraguay on April 30, strengthening the hold of the Colorado Party as a new wave of leftist leadership has emerged in the region over the past two years. Beyond Paraguay’s borders, the geopolitical implications of the election win are significant. This is especially true for…


Paraguay’s Conservatives Score Big Election Win, Defusing Taiwan Fears

ASUNCION—Paraguayan conservative economist Santiago Pena, 44, won the country’s presidential election on Sunday, tightening the ruling Colorado Party’s political grip in the country and defusing fears about the end of diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Pena, who has pledged to maintain Paraguay’s long-standing Taiwan relations, had 42.7 percent of the vote with 99.9 percent of ballots…


IN-DEPTH: China’s Lithium Dominance Threatened by Industry Nationalism in Latin America

It’s been called “white gold” in the mining industry. Latin America’s lithium deposits have become a new El Dorado, a commodity conquest China is angling to control. Along with Australia and Chile, China is among the top three lithium producers in the world. The Asian nation also commands an estimated 80 percent of global electric-battery…