Gun manufacturers have urged a US court to dismiss a Mexican lawsuit that holds them responsible for the violence inflicted by drug cartels. Mexico is seeking billions in damages, accusing manufacturers of facilitating the illegal trafficking of weapons. The firms, including Smith & Wesson, argue their sales are constitutionally protected in the US, calling Mexico’s […]
El Salvador plans to build a Bitcoin city at the base of a volcano, with the cryptocurrency used to fund the project, its president has announced. The city will be circular to represent the shape of a large coin and will be built in the south-eastern region of La Unión, President Nayib Bukele said. The […]
By Rachelle Krygier BBC Monitoring, Miami Chile was long held up as a model of political stability and economic growth in South America. But that image was shattered when violent anti-government protests began to spread though the country in late 2019. In the first general election since, voters face a choice between sharply diverging political […]
By Katy Watson Sao Paulo, Brazil Gun culture was a key part of Jair Bolsonaro’s winning campaign to become Brazil’s president. Three years later, what impact has he had on the nation’s relationship with firearms and how much has US politics played a part? Rice and beans hold an important place in the heart of […]
At least 68 prisoners have been killed in new fighting at an Ecuadorean prison where more than a hundred inmates died in clashes between rival gangs in September, officials say. The riot at the Litoral Penitentiary in the city of Guayaquil reportedly began on Friday evening. Police tactical units who have entered prison buildings have […]
Preliminary results from the Nicaraguan general election suggest that incumbent President Daniel Ortega has won by a landslide. With almost all the votes counted, Mr Ortega has secured close to 76% of the vote. But as the BBC’s Central America Correspondent Will Grant reports, the result hardly comes as a surprise. As the Nicaraguan president, […]
Coronavirus pandemic Costa Rica has become the first country in the world to make Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for children. The jab will join the extensive list of basic childhood vaccinations already required by law, health officials said. The country signed a deal with Pfizer to acquire doses to start vaccinating all under-12s from March […]
Venezuela crisis The International Criminal Court (ICC) will investigate whether crimes against humanity were committed during Venezuela’s crackdown on anti-government protests in 2017. Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro said the state respects the decision to investigate, but does not share it. More than 100 people died during the clampdown on protesters. The demonstrations started after […]
Coronavirus pandemic A Senate committee in Brazil has voted to recommend that President Jair Bolsonaro face charges over his handling of the Covid pandemic. Seven of the panel’s 11 members backed a report calling for nine charges to be filed against Mr Bolsonaro, including crimes against humanity. The committee chair, Senator Omar Aziz, will […]
The lives of patients are at risk due to fuel shortages affecting some of Haiti’s major hospitals, the UN children’s agency Unicef warns. Supplies have been disrupted for weeks because lorry drivers are too scared to brave roads controlled by gangs which engage in kidnappings for ransom. Roadblocks erected by protesters angry at the lack […]
