Latin America

Truckloads of smuggled goods get waved into Venezuela at the Colombian border. But the crossing is closed to ordinary Venezuelans hoping to enter Colombia to buy desperately needed food and medicine.

The teacher's union has blocked roads to protest mandatory testing and demand more funding. Meanwhile, the security forces have killed activists.

There are two Venezuelas. In one, mothers have no milk for their children. In the other, you can get milky cappuccinos. The country's severe economic problems have worsened inequality.

Mexico's teachers union blocked roads into Oaxaca state to protest the government's demand that teachers take qualifying exams. The prolonged strike and roadblocks have led to food and gas shortages.

The South American country is experiencing widespread shortages of food and medicine, along with rolling power blackouts. All of which have sparked rioting and large anti-government protests.

Every week seems to bring unwelcome news in the run-up to the Olympics. This week, dismembered body parts washed up on a Rio beach. But how bad are things, really?