Savage Firestorm Tears Through Chile’s Historic Valparaíso

A furious wildfire burned its way through several Valparaíso neighborhoods last month, killing 15 people and leaving more than 12,000 homeless. Chile’s second major disaster in as many weeks, the fire also served as a painful reminder that for many, the country’s much-heralded economic “miracle” is still very much a mirage.

El Salvador’s Most Wanted: Ex-President Francisco Flores Accused Of Corruption

El Salvador’s upcoming leadership change is being overshadowed by an unfolding corruption case involving one of the nation’s previous presidents, Francisco Flores (1999-2004), who has been “missing” since late January.

Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On: Nicaragua Rattled By Multiple Earthquakes

Nicaragua remains on “red alert” following a cluster of pre-Easter earthquakes that killed two people; damaged nearly 5,000 homes, some completely; opened up a 20 km-long crack in the earth; and may have even caused an odd drop in the water level of Lago Xolotlán, also known as Lake Managua.

Chile’s Glaciers Face Multiple Threats

Glacial ice in Chilean Patagonia (Benjamin Witte)

A prolonged rain deficit and a memorable media maneuver by the high-profile environmental group Greenpeace have together sparked an upsurge in public interest regarding Chile’s world-class collection of glaciers.

Salvadoran Gang Truce On Its Last Legs

The government of outgoing President Mauricio Funes appears to have turned its back once and for all on a controversial gang “truce” it helped broker more than two years ago.

President Ortega Grants Himself Control Of Nicaragua’s Forestry Resources

Having just put the finishing touches on a power-enhancing overhaul of the Nicaraguan constitution, President Daniel Ortega is now looking to extend control over yet another area of the country’s government apparatus: forestry administration.

Bachelet Administration To Mapuches: ‘Sorry You Lost Your Land’

The recently inaugurated government of President Michelle Bachelet issued a timely mea culpa this month in an effort to press the proverbial reset button on long frayed relations with the Mapuche, Chile’s largest indigenous group.

Weighing The Costs And Benefits Of Nicaragua’s Mining Boom

A leading Nicaraguan environmental group is sounding the alarm over President Daniel Ortega’s cozy embrace of metals mining, an industry that has boomed in recent years and now boasts the country’s number one export product: gold.

“Comandante” Sánchez Céren, Leftist Fighter And Peace Accord Signer, Elected President Of El Salvador — Barely

After a year-and-a-half-long campaign season, two rounds of voting, competing claims of victory, right-wing protests, a thinly veiled coup threat and a partial recount, El Salvador’s grueling presidential race has finally produced a victor: former guerilla commander and current Vice President Salvador Sánchez Céren.

Salvadoran Presidential Contest To Be Decided In A Runoff

Vice President Salvador Sánchez Cerén of the left-wing Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional (FMLN) won El Salvador’s Feb. 2 presidential election by an unexpectedly solid margin but fell just short of the 50% plus one valid vote needed to avoid a runoff.