Latin America News Round Up – September 8, 2017

Mexico Earthquake, Strongest in a Century, Kills Dozens

Sept. 8 – “The most powerful earthquake to hit Mexico in 100 years struck off the nation’s Pacific Coast late Thursday, rattling millions of residents in Mexico City with its violent tremors, killing at least 32 people and leveling some areas in the southern part of the country closest to where the quake occurred.” …read more

Hurricane Irma: ‘It was like a horror movie’ [VIDEO]

Sept. 8 – “Residents in Barbuda say people were tying themselves to their roofs as Hurricane Irma struck.” …WATCH

 

 

Brazil’s top politicians are getting busted with literal suitcases full of cash

Sept. 7 – ” It was the most cinematic moment in Brazil’s recent political drama. When investigators followed an anonymous tip to an apartment in northern Brazil this week, they stumbled upon a dozen suitcases and boxes stuffed with $16 million in cash — the largest seizure in the history of the country.” …read more

 

Brazilian ex-presidents charged in corruption case

Sept. 6 – “Brazil’s top prosecutor has charged former presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Dilma Rousseff with forming a criminal organisation to divert funds from the country’s state oil company. Prosecutor Rodrigo Janot said Lula, Ms Rousseff and six fellow Workers’ Party members committed a series of crimes involving Petrobras from 2002 to 2016. The ex-presidents deny the accusations.” …read more

 

Colombia’s FARC rebels launch a political party, trading bullets for blazers

Sept. 2 – “Colombia’s largest guerrilla movement sowed a half-century of fear through kidnappings, bombings, extortion and killings. But in a new era of peace, the battled-scarred leftists are launching a charm offensive — trading their guns and fatigues for the soft-lit ads and sport coats of 21st-century politics.” …read more

 

Police and Protesters Clash Over Disappearance of Argentine Activist

Sept. 2 – “The disappearance of an indigenous rights activist in Argentina spurred violent clashes between demonstrators and the police on Friday and has raised dark memories of forced disappearances during the country’s dictatorship. Relatives and supporters say the activist, Santiago Maldonado, was last seen during a confrontation on Aug. 1 between border police officers and supporters of a Mapuche indigenous community that was being displaced from an area in the Patagonia region that belongs to Benetton, the clothing company.” …read more

Peru’s Teachers Temporarily Suspend Strike, Vow Fight Isn’t Over

Sept. 2 – “Teachers in Peru, who have been striking against lack of funds since July 12, have temporarily called off their indefinite strike. After meeting with their regional union bases, they agreed to voluntarily suspend their action, emphasizing that the decision was not a result of dialogue with the Peruvian Ministry of Education. They plan to return to classrooms on September 4, having taken into consideration the number of students who have missed lessons during the strike.” …read more

 

Dominica’s Geothermal Dream About to Become Reality

Sept 6. – “The tiny Caribbean island of Dominica has moved one step closer to its dream of constructing a geothermal plant, a project that is expected to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. The Dominica government is contributing 40.5 million dollars towards the project and has been seeking to raise the additional funds from various sources.” …read more