South America

Blow Back

Sorry, Washington. If, after 30 years, Colombia can't win the war on drugs, no one can.

BY JONAH ENGLE | APRIL 30, 2013

An Election for the Birds

As Venezuelans head to the polls to replace Hugo Chávez, a crazy campaign takes a turn toward the truly bizarre.

BY PETER WILSON | APRIL 9, 2013

Ten Questions for the New BRICS Bank

The great emerging markets want to start their own bank. But it doesn't seem like they've really thought it through.

BY ISOBEL COLEMAN | APRIL 9, 2013

Sim Paulo

How I used SimCity to solve the world's worst traffic jam.

BY MIKE ROSE | APRIL 1, 2013

Saving Hugo Chávez

The United States never tried to kill the late Venezuelan leader. In fact, we may have even saved his life.

BY OTTO J. REICH | MARCH 25, 2013

The Beatified Game

How the new pope has blessed the long suffering soccer fans of Argentina’s Club Atlético San Lorenzo.

BY HALEY COHEN | MARCH 15, 2013

Hugonomics

Was Chávez good for Venezuela?

BY DANIEL ALTMAN | MARCH 11, 2013

Hugo's Banker

How China propped up Chávez.

BY HENRY SANDERSON, MICHAEL FORSYTHE | MARCH 7, 2013

The House That Chavez Built

Hugo Chávez subordinated the needs of Venezuela’s economy to the imperative of keeping himself in power. Now the job of cleaning up falls to his successor.

BY JAVIER CORRALES | MARCH 7, 2013

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Democracy is in retreat. And there's a surprising culprit.

BY JOSHUA KURLANTZICK | MARCH 4, 2013

Morales Walks the Populist High Wire

Morales talks big populist talk. Here's how it's actually working out. 

BY ROBERT LOONEY | FEBRUARY 26, 2013

Sneaking in the Back Door

Did Hugo Chávez quietly slip back into Venezuela to die?

BY PETER WILSON | FEBRUARY 21, 2013

Venezuela's New Era

Venezuelans are contemplating the possibility of a new life without Hugo Chávez. But can the existing system continue in the absence of its creator?

BY PHIL GUNSON | FEBRUARY 19, 2013

Forget the Flowers and Candy

Images from the women's rights rallies that have been taking place around the world this week.

BY NEHA PALIWAL | FEBRUARY 14, 2013

The Other Resource Curse

Moving away from fossil fuels could be devastating for some of the world's poorest countries.

BY MICHAEL LEVI | FEBRUARY 7, 2013

The First Lab Results Are In

Democracy Lab is celebrating its first anniversary. Here are some of the things we've learned over the past year -- and where we're headed in year two.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | JANUARY 31, 2013

Paranoid Plots and Empty Aisles

Paralyzed by Chávez's absence, Venezuela's shaky government is inventing threats from abroad. But the hungry masses aren't buying it.

BY PETER WILSON | JANUARY 25, 2013

Rainbow Coalition

A gay rights revolution is sweeping across the Americas. It's time for Washington to catch up.

BY J. LESTER FEDER | JANUARY 24, 2013

The Political Afterlife of Hugo Chavez

Hugo Chávez has left a profound mark on Venezuela. But how much of his legacy will remain when he’s gone?

BY DANIEL LANSBERG-RODRIGUEZ | JANUARY 23, 2013

Seizing the Moment

The world’s leading nations are convening a meeting on the fight against corruption. Here’s what they ought to be discussing.

BY LAURENCE COCKCROFT | JANUARY 22, 2013

Crying for Argentina

From populism to liberalism and back again: Argentina's economic policy makers are still looking for a formula that works.

BY ALBERT FISHLOW | JANUARY 17, 2013

Daniel Ortega's Reality Check

Nicaragua’s president is the latest Latin American populist to flirt with the market. But his political risks are high.

BY ROBERT LOONEY | JANUARY 10, 2013

Venezuelan Roulette

With Hugo Chávez's health uncertain, narcogenerals and Cuban-backed ideologues are vying for influence in Venezuela.

BY ROGER F. NORIEGA | JANUARY 7, 2013

Gorging on Investment, Choking on Red Tape

Academic economists usually air their new ideas first in working papers. Here, before the work gets dusty, a quick look at transition policy research in progress.

BY PETER PASSELL | JANUARY 4, 2013

Changing the Code on Corruption

How a Brazilian government commission tried to fight back against sleaze.

BY DEEPA IYER | JANUARY 2, 2013

A Real War on Inequality

The world could learn a lot from Brazil's fight against poverty.

BY DANIEL ALTMAN | DECEMBER 17, 2012

The Nowhere Heir

Nicolás Maduro has risen to No. 2 in Venezuela by trying to stay invisible. If Hugo Chávez dies, will this former bus driver take the country off the cliff?

BY PETER WILSON | DECEMBER 14, 2012

The Dark Side of Oscar Niemeyer

Brazil's most celebrated architect leaves behind a decidedly mixed legacy.

DECEMBER 11, 2012

The Architect of the Future That Never Was

The failed dreamscapes of Oscar Niemeyer.

BY RICHARD J. WILLIAMS | DECEMBER 11, 2012

The New Border: Illegal Immigration’s Shifting Frontier

As the net flow of immigrants from Mexico nears zero, violent and impoverished Central American countries have emerged as the fastest-rising source of illegal immigrants to the U.S.

BY SEBASTIAN ROTELLA | DECEMBER 6, 2012