Latin America

Obama Proposes Plan To Close Guantanamo Bay Detention Center

10:32am February 24, 2016

by David Welna

President Obama sent Congress a proposal for how the U.S. could close the Guantanamo Bay detention center and move its occupants to the U.S. It's expected to make little headway against opponents in the Republican-controlled Congress.

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Actions In Amazon Rain Forest Contradict Brazil's Promise

6:53am February 24, 2016

Brazil is home to more than half of the rain forest and it contributes to carbon pollution. Steve Inskeep talks to journalist Juliana Barbassa about how plans to put a stop to deforestation are going.

These people have just walked across the bridge from Venezuela to Colombia, where the Colombian immigration authorities are on duty. Many people live on one side and work on the other, crossing so frequently they don't have to register with officials each

Health & Safety

Venezuela Won't Talk To Colombia About Zika — And That's A Problem

5:51pm February 23, 2016

Colombia would like to coordinate with Venezuela to fight the virus. That's not happening. Meanwhile, Venezuelans who cross the border may be bringing Zika with them.

Obama Proposes Guantanamo-Shutdown Plan

12:23pm February 23, 2016

by Phil Ewing

David Greene speaks with National Security Editor Phil Ewing about the proposal President Obama delivered to Congress for closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

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Shown here in the 1980s, Horace Clemmons (left) and Saul Berenthal have been business partners for decades. They are now pairing up to build the first U.S. factory in Cuba since the 1960 embargo.

First U.S. Factory OK'd For Cuba Aims To Plow A Path Into 21st Century

6:40pm February 22, 2016

by Melissa Block

Two businessmen — one of whom was born in Cuba — have been granted permission to build the first U.S. factory on the island nation since 1960. They plan to produce small tractors for Cuban farmers.

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Mylene Helena Ferraira of Recife, Brazil, carries her 5-month-old son, David Henrique Ferreira, who was born with microcephaly. She's returning home after a medical visit.

CDC Arrives In Brazil To Investigate Zika Outbreak

6:33pm February 22, 2016

by Rob Stein

U.S. disease detectives are launching a research project that health authorities hope will produce the most definitive evidence yet about whether the virus is really causing birth defects.

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CDC Arrives In Brazil To Investigate Spread Of Zika Virus

4:24pm February 22, 2016

by Rob Stein

Disease detectives from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention begin their crucial effort on the ground in Brazil to firmly establish whether the Zika virus is really causing terrible birth defects.

Johann Castro Hernandez, 18, is recovering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome after he appeared to have fallen sick with Zika virus around New Year's. His mom, Janina Hernandez, is at right.

Colombian Clinic Probes A Mystery: Is Zika Triggering A Rare Disorder?

12:44am February 22, 2016

by Nurith Aizenman

Since the fall, Colombia has seen about 100 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Most of the patients reported they'd had Zika virus. Researchers are trying to figure out what's going on.

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Pope Francis Condones Contraception With Zika Virus Threat

12:47pm February 20, 2016

Pope Francis turned heads this week with statements on birth control and same-sex marriage that seemed at odds with Church doctrine. Then he waded into a spat with Donald Trump.

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Health & Safety

Zika Spike Overwhelms Colombia Doctors

8:25am February 20, 2016

The spread of Zika is taxing Colombia's already over-burdened health care system.