Daily Headlines: February 11, 2014

* Latin America: The presidents representing the four member countries of Latin America's Pacific Alliance signed a deal aimed at promoting free trade between Colombia, Peru, Mexico and Chile.

* Brazil: A Brazilian TV cameraman seriously injured while covering a protest in Rio de Janeiro last Thursday was declared brain dead by doctors treating him.
 
* Cuba: E.U. foreign ministers agreed to negotiations with the Cuban government as part of a push to improve ties between Europe and the Caribbean island.

* Bolivia: Rescuers in Bolivia suspended the search for potential survivors of a mudslide caused by heavy rains that have killed at least forty-two people during the current rainy season.

Video Source – teleSUR via YouTube (Costa Rica and Panama could join the Pacific Alliance trade bloc that was formed by Colombia, Peru, Mexico and Chile in 2012).
 
Online Sources- Miami Herald; Reuters; ABC News; The Latin Americanist; Voice of America

Daily Headlines: September 25, 2013

* Puerto Rico: A petition was filed with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights against the U.S. government regarding the health problems of Puerto Ricans residing on the island of Vieques.

* Mexico: Authorities arrested three police officers suspected of involvement in the kidnapping and deaths of twelve Mexico City bar patrons.

* Uruguay: A new 70 megawatt wind farm expected to meet the annual energy demands of approximately 100,000 people will be built in Palomas, Uruguay.

* Bolivia: At least thirteen people are dead as a result of a mudslide in Bolivia’s Yungas region.

Video Source – YouTube via Al Jazeera English

Online Sources- The Australian; UPI; BBC News; Huffington Post; The Latin Americanist

Heavy Rains Take Toll in Brazil

While some people are basking in the glory of a winter wonderland, our Latin neighbors to the south are still recovering from heavy rain storms that left dozens dead in Brazil. CNN reports that at least 41 people were killed (while other sources cite over 60) when the downpour led to severe mudslides several hours from Rio.

A part of the mountain collapsed into an upscale resort in Angra dos Reis, but perhaps more tragically, some makeshift homes in the poor suburbs of Rio collapsed, leaving at least 350 people homeless. Surely this already poor population will struggle not only to deal with the loss of life, but also struggle to rebuild.

President Lula says he will send naval forces to help with rescue and recovery, as more bodies are believed to be trapped still.
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Online sources: cnn.com, CBS News